ABOUT PUCP: 

Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (Spanish: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, PUCP) , founded in Lima in 1917, is the country's number one university, number 23 in Latin America and the only Peruvian university among the 600 best in the world international rankings. This is a recognition to the quality of its teaching, research, publications, social responsibility, contribution to the culture and undeniable academic and institutional leadership. But none of this would have been possible without the constant efforts of their teachers, students, workers and graduates. The University seeks to be recognized as the largest multidisciplinary center of scientific, humanistic and cultural innovation of Peru for its extensive academic and institutional leadership, being an advocate of the values ​​of democracy, rights and human development and to promote the responsible use of natural resources and the environment, all in conjunction with Christian principles that inspire it.

 

The Universitie´s Institute for Radio Astronomy (INRAS) led the launch of two satellites developed entirely in Peru by the academic and research in science and space engineering purposes. The first two peruvian  satellites PUCP-Sat 1 and Pocket-PUCP: On November 21, 2013 were launched from the Russian Baikonur Yasny. The INRAS team (led by Dr. Jorge Heraud) was attended by teachers and students of the specialties of Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering and Telecommunications Engineering. The PUCP-Sat 1 is a nano-satellite (name given because of its weight) of cubic form (CubeSat), measuring 10 cm per side and a weight of 1240 grams. While the Pocket-PUCP, designed in the INRAS, weighs only 97 grams (femtosatelite) and is considered the lightest in the world. Both satellites are placed in low Earth orbit and give a lap around the Earth every 90 minutes, to 630 kilometers. Thanks to its temperature sensors, the information collected will be useful to test its strength in adverse weather conditions and to improve the thermal design of future satellites.