Student-built Satellite KOSTKA in Space

Vision

YSpace wants to connect academia with the fast-growing Czech space industry and give students hands-on experience – from design and construction to operating a satellite in orbit. KOSTKA is only the first step. More missions are set to follow.

Gamechanger

KOSTKA is a 1U CubeSat measuring roughly 10 × 10 × 11.5 centimetres and weighing just under one kilogram. Its antenna is made from roll-up tape measures mounted on the outside of the satellite. Their natural material properties allow them to unfold in orbit, while the external mechanism leaves more space available inside the CubeSat. The idea did not come from MacGyver, as Šimon admits, but rather from the amateur radio community. “The amateur radio community deserves most of the credit,” says Šimon Sloboda, YSpace team leader.

Who is it for?

For academia and the Czech space industry, for the amateur radio community that uses the satellite as a digipeater, and above all for the students who will build the missions that follow.

What has worked so far? 

KOSTKA launched on 7 July 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from California and is now testing its award-winning antenna in orbit. The students operate the satellite themselves and collect data from it. Since 2023, 83 people have worked on the mission, and the antenna design won the ESA BIC Liftoff Challenge last year. “We have enthusiastic and motivated members on our team who took on the tasks themselves because they can see and feel that they are getting something from the experience too.”