The LINKU project, wich name means "Sphere" in Quechua, gained international recognition in 2019 by securing third place in an international competition for satellite projects. This cutting-edge project is led by the Institute for Radio Astronomy (INRAS) at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP) and enjoys strategic collaboration with INICITEL-UNI and the Catholic University San Pablo of Arequipa (UCSP) for its development. Additionally, it operates in close partnership with the Space Agency of Peru (CONIDA).
In 2020, LINKU achieved a significant milestone by being officially approved as an integral part of the activity plan for the 2021-2030 period by the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO). This historic achievement marks the first instance in which a Peruvian satellite development project has been selected for execution by an international organization. APSCO will provide the necessary financing, and the project will officially commence in 2023.
The primary objective of this project is the research and development of an innovative deployment method for satellite systems connected by a cable or tether. The central innovation of this project lies in the concept of a satellite system consisting of two spheres connected by a cable (Satellites B and C). These satellites will be launched using a specially designed launcher (Satellite A), which is an integral part of the project. This proposal represents an innovative solution that addresses various critical challenges in the space industry, including stabilization, propulsion, and perhaps most importantly, the management of space debris. All of this is with a specific focus on satellite projects that utilize cables or tethers.