CKUTEX (Cheng Kung University Technology EXperimental)satellite is an indigenously developed experimental microsatellite that is developed at NCKU under the support and supervision by the National SPace Organization (NSPO), Taiwan. The scope of the project includes the design, analysis, manufacturing, assembly, integration, verification and validation of CKUTEX microsatellite through ground and flight tests. To realize the mission, the CKUTEX microsatellite carries a self-developed space-borne GPS receiver (GPSR) and a digital sun sensor (DSS) as main payloads. The design and fabrication of the satellite subsystems and payloads have emphasized on the build-up of self-development capability in meeting a high-quality and space-qualified standard. The CKUTEX project started in December, 2008 and it has passed the integration & test review (ITR) phase. In the paper, the system requirement and design approach to
various payloads and subsystems of the CKUTEX are discussed. The tests
of the CKUTEX are then highlighted. Through the endeavor of designing
and testing of the CKUTEX microsatellite, not only the design and
fabrication techniques are established, but also the experience and capability can then be materialized to support education and training in satellite development and system engineering.