‘I guess we all like to be recognised not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work.’ — Neil Armstrong

A blast from the past: In the early 2000s, the Tokyo Institute of Technology developed the Cute Separation System, engineered to deploy the Cubic Tokyo Tech Engineering Satellite (CUTE-1). On June 30th, 2003, TITech launched CUTE-1 aboard a Rockot launch vehicle from Plesetsk, Russia, as part of a mission that carried six CubeSats in total. This was the first CubeSat mission, ever.

Fast forward to 2026—the Perth Aerospace Student Team (PAST) is charting its own course to the stars. Following the successful Stratos High-Altitude Balloon (HAB01) launch at the end of 2025, the team is diligently developing HAB02.

While the HAB missions are remarkable achievements in their own right, they serve a deeper purpose: preparing for the harsh realities of near-space conditions. Each mission tests equipment and payloads that will one day power PAST’s ultimate goal—to become the first student-run undergraduate team in Western Australia to launch its own CubeSat into orbit.

Central to this vision is the FlatSat, an engineering model of a CubeSat built with its components arranged flat for testing and development. This crucial step began earlier this year and will pave the way for PAST’s future missions beyond the stratosphere.

But this journey isn’t simply a passion project—it’s part of something much larger. One of the aims of the Western Australian Government’s Space Strategy is to “assist in the development of a highly skilled local workforce to enhance space and terrestrial industry capability.” PAST is proudly contributing to that future by bringing together mechanical and software engineers, avionics specialists, communications students, designers and team developers—all united by one shared purpose: space exploration.

Would you like to be part of this limitless future with infinite possibilities?

Expressions of Interest

Orientation Week at Curtin kicks off on Monday, 9 February. Expressions of Interest (EoIs) for Semester 1, 2026, are already open to all undergraduate students.

If you want to learn more about the Perth Aerospace Student Team, come along to our Information Night in Week 2 of semester (beginning 23 February). We’ll showcase our projects — from the success of HAB01 to the plans for HAB02, the FlatSat and our crowning ambition: the CubeSat. Although EoIs are open year-round, PAST recruits on a semester basis, so make sure not to miss out!

Your journey starts here. Whether you’re an engineer, communicator, creative or problem-solver, there’s a place for you in PAST. Be part of Western Australia’s growing space legacy—step forward, bring your curiosity and help us reach new heights.

Submit your Expression of Interest today and take your first step toward space.