Design, build and launch a re-entry CubeSat
A CubeWhat?
A CubeSat is a small satellite the size of a Rubik’s Cube. Because of its simplicity and cost-efficiency, it has revolutionized the space industry. This year approximately 1000 CubeSat’s will be launched.
DESIGN
What is our mission?
Our CubeSat will perform a re-entry mission. This means that it will be launched into space, orbit our planet and come back through the Earth's atmosphere at an intense speed.
BUILD
Why is this useful?
The most common way to conduct a sample return experiment in space is via the International Space Station. However, the waiting lists are tremendously long, the paper work is awfully complicated and the experiment carries a hefty price tag.
LAUNCH
Aether is a cheaper, faster and easier solution for sample return space missions.
Plan of Action
The Aether team brings together young engineers who are passionate about space and space technology. We are designing a CubeSat: a nanosatellite consisting of 10x10x10 cm units. In the past decade, the CubeSat standard has enabled countless new innovations in the space industry. We want to design a satellite that can survive the fiery atmospheric re-entry and land at a pre-determined location on Earth. This allows us to retrieve the scientific experiments on board: bringing sample recovery to the small and accessible CubeSat platform!
Therefore we will divide the complete sample return into three sub missions, each covering one step of the re-entry process and the launch of one CubeSat.
Sub mission 1
Heatshield technology
During the descent through Earth’s atmosphere extremely high temperatures are reached, caused by friction with the air in front of the satellite. To survive this part, a heatshield is required. This sub mission will be focusing solely on the heatshield that will be necessary for making the re-entry possible.
Sub mission 2
Controlled de-orbit and targeted landing
The satellite must start the re-entry process either by orbital decay, thus slowing down the satellite through increasing aerodynamic drag, or by actively de-orbiting the satellite using thrusters or other actuators to steer the satellite towards Earth. It is important that the object follows a predetermined course so the place where the object will land is known. This satellite will flight proof the technology needed for the targeted re-entry.
Sub mission 3
Soft landing
The scope of the final mission is to have the CubeSat land safely on the ground with an intact sample. This requires an extra mechanism (parachute) to be deployed. This satellite will be equipped with the heatshield, targeted re-entry technology and the soft-landing mechanism. Thus this will be the first ever sample return CubeSat!
