Key Details:
- The nanosatellite, named Gxiba-1, developed by engineering students and faculty at the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP), is set to be launched on October 20, 2025, from the International Space Station (ISS).
- Gxiba-1 was selected in 2022 from the international Kibo CUBE competition hosted by Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
- The nanosatellite will monitor volcanic activity in Mexico, focusing on Popocatépetl, using advanced technology and AI algorithms to predict eruptions.
- The project is led by students like Sara Zayas Madrid, an aerospace engineering student and co-mission leader, who will oversee data analysis and volcanic monitoring post-launch.
About the Mexican Scientists and Their Relevant Project
Mexico’s scientific community is set to reach new heights with the launch of the Gxiba-1 nanosatellite, developed by engineering students and faculty at the Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP). This mission, scheduled for October 20, 2025, will see the nanosatellite deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) to monitor volcanic activity in Mexico, with a particular focus on the Popocatépetl volcano.
The Gxiba-1 project was chosen in 2022 from the international Kibo CUBE competition organized by Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. Once in orbit, Gxiba-1 will identify patterns and trends in volcanic behavior across Mexico, providing crucial data for scientists to predict eruptions.
The name “Gxiba-1” pays homage to Mexican roots, with “gxiba” meaning “universe” or “stars” in the indigenous Zapotec language.
Young Leaders at the Control Center
Despite its small size (10 x 10 x 10 cm), the nanosatellite is equipped with cutting-edge technology to monitor and explore active volcanoes. Its sensors will measure changes in gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. This data will be analyzed using AI algorithms, including Machine Learning and Deep Learning, to aid scientists in predicting eruptions.
Students like Sara Zayas Madrid, a fifth-semester aerospace engineering student and co-mission leader, will spearhead this initiative. Zayas Madrid joined the project in her second semester and expressed excitement about the challenges and rewards of working on such a significant endeavor.
“Once the satellite is in orbit, we will receive data from it and conduct volcanic monitoring, capture images, analyze them, and ultimately help prevent harm to the population,” Zayas Madrid explained to El Economista.
UPAEP’s History with Nanosatellites
The Gxiba-1 project is not UPAEP’s first foray into nanosatellites. With support from Mexico’s Space Agency and NASA, the university successfully launched AztechSat-1 in 2019, Mexico’s first nanosatellite at the ISS. The project was recognized by NASA among twenty innovative projects in its 20 Years of ISS Science publication.
The Rise of Nanosatellites: Transforming Space
Eugenio Urrutia Albizua, Director of Space Projects at UPAEP, emphasized the rigorous journey that began in 2021. The project underwent three verification phases in Japan, focusing on security aspects, and documentation took over two years.
Urrutia Albizua highlighted that, despite its small size, Gxiba-1 houses significant technology, including a flight computer, the payload (camera), and two types of antennas. He praised Mexican engineering quality, noting that three out of the circuit cards were 100% made in Mexico, including both design and fabrication with space-grade quality.
The director explained that miniaturization, known as “New Space,” is a global trend, and Mexico is entering this realm. Nanosatellites are crucial due to their lower construction and deployment costs compared to traditional large satellites. They also offer rapid updates, as their shorter lifespans (20-30 years for large satellines) make it easier to replace and modernize technology.
Moreover, nanosatellites enable extensive monitoring and the creation of satellite constellations for broader visual coverage and distant response requirements, something drones cannot safely and efficiently accomplish (e.g., monitoring hot gases over a volcanic crater).
Though still in its infancy in Mexico, this technology holds great promise beyond volcanic monitoring. Urrutia Albizua envisions nanosatellite constellations to aid in tracking natural disasters like heavy rains and floods, allowing for timely population alerts and potentially saving lives.
Collaboration and Future Opportunities
UPAEP’s experience and success extend beyond their institution. The Space Projects Director confirmed that the university has been invited to join a larger-scale project led by Mexico’s largest institutions, including the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and the Polytechnic Institute of National Autonomy (IPN).
This federal government-funded constellation project will also involve the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Institute for Cooperative Education (CICESE). Urrutia Albizua expressed enthusiasm for collaboration, stating that Mexican trust and cooperation are essential for progress.
The Gxiba-1 launch will be streamed live on JAXA’s website: https://global.jaxa.jp/
