WUSAT-2 CubeSat Mission
WUSAT-2 CubeSat
Years of Operation: 2013 - 2015
Client: Prof Don Pollacco, Warwick Physics
Mission: 1U CubeSat carrying a light spectrometer payload to estimate the density of certain gasses in the Earth's upper atmosphere. Experimental data to be returned via radio transmission system, customised to cope with high-speed (~Mach 2) returning Spacecraft in upper atmosphere.
Partners:
- European Space Agency (ESA Academy),
- German Space Agency DLR (via MORABALink opens in a new window),
- Swedish Space Corporation, SSCLink opens in a new window
- Company Partners: 
       - RS ComponentsLink opens in a new window
- HarwinLink opens in a new window
- ESATAN TMSLink opens in a new window
- SolidworksLink opens in a new window
- ThalesLink opens in a new window
- National InstrumentsLink opens in a new window
- Roke Manor ResearchLink opens in a new window
- LyncolecLink opens in a new window
- ProctorLink opens in a new window
 
WUSAT-2 Background
WUSAT-2 was designed as a non-standard 1U CubeSat to meet the requirements set by our client, Prof. Don Pollacco, who proposed the concept of a CubeSat that could estimate the density of critical gases (e.g Na and O2) in the Earth's upper atmosphere. This would be achieved by the WUSAT-2 light spectrometer payload, sampling filtered light frequencies during entry into the atmosphere of a planet and estimating the density of each gas at specific altitudes. The presence of such gasses can allow an assessment of a planet's evolutionary history, and would demonstrate that similar CubeSats could be released by a Spacecraft visiting a planet in order to carryout such an investigation. Note: WUSAT-2 is a non-standard CubeSat because the light sensor domes on two external sides of the CubeSat (see above) do not meet CubeSat specification standards, hence, a customised ejection module (above) also had to be produced in order to launch WUSAT-2 from the REXUS launch rocket.
Mission Objectives
- To design, manufacture, test, launch and operate a CubeSat via approved ESA Space Systems Engineering methodology standards and to meet client payload needs.
- To successfully complete all European Space Agency phase review requirements
- In operation - to establish contact with a ground station via a communications link customised to cope with transmission during atmospheric re-entry conditions.
- To record and estimate atmospheric levels of Na and O2 gasses in Earth's upper atmosphere.
2013-14 Team Achievements
- Successfully negotiate WUSAT-2 payload requirements with client, Prof Don Pollacco, and hence develop WUSAT-2 platform requirements.
- Successfully submit WUSAT-2 mission proposal to ESA Academy and gain entry to 2015 REXUS Sounding Rocket launch campaign.
 
 
       