WUSAT-2 CubeSat Mission

WUSAT-2 Modified 1U Platform

1U CubeSat + Ejection Module on Launch Vehicle

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.

WUSAT-2 Team 1 - 2013-14

L-R: Oli Beard, Oliver Vavasour, CJ Hanbury-Williams, Levs Kodners, Matti Konsala, Sarah Iddles, Jess Lomath, Dr Bill Crofts

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.