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A moment that sparked lifelong wonder -

Even after more than fifty years, Paul (a pseudonym) vividly remembers the moment his fascination with space was ignited. In 1969, as Apollo 11 made its historic landing on the Moon, he was glued to the broadcast, watching from his home in Mauritius, a small island nation tucked away in the Indian Ocean.

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A fresh start -

Just a year before Apollo 11's historic landing, Mauritius had achieved independence after centuries of colonial rule, passing through the hands of the Dutch, the French, and the British. 

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A fresh start -

As Mauritius embraced its newfound freedom, the Moon landing offered an inspiring symbol of progress and possibility.

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Tough times for space dreams -

In the years following independence, Mauritius faced significant political and economic challenges. Stability proved elusive, creating a tough environment for anyone with dreams as lofty as becoming an astronaut.

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From radio waves to telecom success -

As a teenager, Paul dived into the world of satellite communications with passion and precision. At just 16, he earned his radio amateur license and joined the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (MARS), setting the stage for a thriving career in telecom.

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Inspiring others -

In retirement, Paul has dedicated himself to nurturing a new generation of space enthusiasts in Mauritius. His efforts aim to spark curiosity and help young minds establish their own link to the vast wonders of space.

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Launching Mauritius into space -

Beginning in 2018, Paul applied his expertise to support Mauritius in its ambitious leap into space exploration. His contributions were instrumental in the development and launch of the country's first satellite, MIRSAT-1, marking a proud milestone in Mauritius' history.

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Launching Mauritius into space -

The journey to Mauritius' first satellite took flight through the KiboCUBE program: a collaborative initiative by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). 

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Launching Mauritius into space -

The KiboCUBE program, still active today, empowers countries to grow their space exploration capabilities. It offers the chance to design and launch CubeSats—compact, functional satellites weighing around 2 kilograms (4.4 lbs)—directly from the International Space Station.

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MRIC and MARS -

In 2018, the Mauritius Research and Innovation Council (MRIC), a state-funded agency focused on advancing tech-driven initiatives, partnered with the Mauritius Amateur Radio Society (MARS) to apply for the KiboCUBE program and their proposal was accepted.

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MRIC teams up with Scotland -

Over the course of a year, the MRIC then collaborated with AAC Clyde Space, a Scottish company specializing in satellite manufacturing, to design, build, and test a CubeSat. 

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Bridging space through telemetry -

With Paul's guidance and expertise, members of MARS played a vital role in tackling technical challenges; their deep knowledge of telemetry—the exchange of data between satellites and Earth—proved invaluable throughout the process.

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Antennas and licenses -

Paul's expertise allowed the team to successfully install and fine-tune a critical communications antenna. They also navigated the regulatory landscape to secure essential licenses from the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU).

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Mauritius reaches for the stars -

Finally, on June 22, 2021, a remarkable team comprising volunteers, government officials, space entrepreneurs, local leaders, and international collaborators celebrated a historic moment. 

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Mauritius reaches for the stars -

Together, they watched as the Mauritius Imagery and Radiotelecommunication Satellite (MIR-SAT 1) was released from the International Space Station, embarking on its journey to orbit the Earth.

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Data for a better Mauritius -

The MIR-SAT1's data is being harnessed for critical applications like adapting to climate change, improving weather forecasts, managing road traffic on the island’s crowded networks, and monitoring Mauritius’ vast Exclusive Economic Zone for maritime activity.

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Mauritius' hub for satellite operations -

At the MRIC facility in Cybercity, Ébène, a ground station serves as the nerve center for satellite activity. It gathers vital data, operates the satellite, and receives telemetry and information from other satellites.

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A future in space -

The MRIC is currently expanding Cybercity and laying the groundwork for the establishment of a Mauritian Space Unit. This new initiative will focus on uncovering opportunities where space exploration can deliver socio-economic benefits to the nation.

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A tale of billionaires and big nations -

When most people think of space exploration, they picture billionaires such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos embarking on rocket-powered escapades, shaping a future where space ventures thrive and vast fortunes are brought back to Earth.

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A tale of billionaires and big nations -

Mauritius experienced a similar pattern following MIRSAT's launch. At shops, cookouts, and even public stargazing events, the satellite's success often took a backseat to more dazzling space missions that captured global attention.

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A tale of billionaires and big nations -

For many people, the future of space exploration feels tied to private, wealthy players rooted in traditional spacefaring countries like the United States. These figures dominate the stage, leaving smaller nations in the shadows of their ambitions.

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Space economy -

For those deeply embedded in the space industry, like Paul, the space economy is clearly a global enterprise. The traditional line separating private ventures from state-sponsored programs often fades, shaped instead by the unique circumstances of each nation and collaboration.

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Space careers -

At present, working in the space industry isn't among the usual aspirations for young Mauritians. However, the tide seems to be turning, as interest in space exploration slowly begins to grow within the island nation.

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Ground stations -

With the rapid expansion of the space industry and the steady increase in satellites being launched worldwide, the demand for ground station capacity is surging. These facilities are becoming more essential than ever to support global space operations.

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Mauritius' potential -

Thanks to its strategic location and skilled, tech-savvy workforce, Mauritius is emerging as a promising hub for linking Earth to low-Earth orbit. 

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Mauritius' potential -

The island currently boasts one operational commercial ground station, with another facility nearing completion, further cementing its place in the global space industry.

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Mauritius' potential -

The MRIC is aiming to strengthen its space initiatives through global collaboration. By partnering with international experts, attracting private-sector investments, and encouraging knowledge exchange, the council is paving the way for continued progress in space exploration.

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Challenges for Mauritius' future experts -

Despite progress, Mauritius still faces significant obstacles in developing its space industry. Research students at Mauritius University, who are developing AI software to analyze satellite data, believe that pursuing their passion for space on the island might not be realistic.

Sources: (ITU) (Space Mauritius) (SAPIENS)

See also: A rare look into the daily lives of astronauts in space

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