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The space industry is growing and space data are becoming accessible to businesses that were previously unthinkable. Constellations of small satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) have created a gap that is allowing small and medium-sized space companies to gain momentum by developing new strategies and technologies. According to Euroconsult forecasting, the NewSpace market will grow from $12.6 billion to $42.8 billion in the next decade (2019–2028). Despite the study’s limitations and the uncertainties of the small satellite market, the results obtained in this exploratory research suggest that the Low-Cost Carriers (LCC) market, an already established market in the aviation industry, and the growing market of EO small satellite constellations in VLEO have similar behaviours. This behaviour shows that the evolution of EO smallsat constellations in VLEO is comparable with the evolution of the LCC airlines. In addition, the result also identifies a set of competitive factors that allow the researchers to observe similar strategic behaviour in both markets Peer Reviewed Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura

Aquesta tesi es desenvolupa en el context de la missió Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment de la NASA i la ASI, que té com a objectiu demostrar el posicionament, la navegació i el temps basats en GNSS a la Lluna mitjançant el desplegament d'un receptor multiconstel·lació del sistema de navegació per satèl·lit amb cobertura global. El projecte es desplega sota la supervisió del grup NavSAS del Politecnico di Torino. La finalitat del projecte és el desenvolupament d'una aplicació que permeti l'anàlisi i simulació de mesures GNSS sense processar. El software ha de ser modular, flexible i fàcil d'utilitzar. Outgoing

Law and policy provide the foundation for space actors engaging in space activities. Likewise, various levels of policy and regulation apply internationally, domestically, and even institutionally to both governmental and nongovernmental entities. Consequently, teaching the policy frameworks for space regulations and best practices is essential for a comprehensive university curriculum in space education. Challenges arise, however, when instructing technical and non-policy university students in humanities-centered topics. Reading comprehension, writing ability, critical thinking, and communication skills are critical elements of policy education, yet many technically oriented students struggle with these requirements. Given these are fundamental skillsets necessary for success in both academia and a dynamic space work force, adapting traditional teaching methodologies may be required to optimize desired learning outcomes for technical student audiences. Customizable strategies exist that can combine and scale these fundamental skillsets with substantive content and materials, providing a range of teaching and learning modalities for study, assessment, and experience. This presentation will highlight potential learning approaches tried at one aeronautical university to address these challenges. For instance, overarching strategies may include commencing with a visual of the student journey (much like a user journey in an investment pitch) delineating the value-added experience for students engaging in course content, and building substantive skill-based learning components which are introduced sequentially and with increasing level of difficulty. Examples of learning methodologies include applying Bloom’s Taxonomy in assignment creation. Most importantly: 1) Knowledge: involves identifying, understanding and remembering core content (e.g. pop quizzes, reading quizzes, cumulative review quizzes, question bank assessments); 2) Analysis: involves reading comprehension, interpretation, evaluation, analysis (e.g. essays, summaries, case studies); 3) Application: involves investigation, research and designing research projects (e.g. research articles, posters, digital presentations, short videos). Scaffolding assignments and artifacts into manageable pieces throughout the semester is key to guiding students towards success and reducing potential for ‘expert blind spots.’ Lastly, an end-of-course review and self-reflection of the student journey is helpful in underlining the critical thinking process and provide a visual review of the student journey in acquiring substantive knowledge, skills, and experience throughout the term

With increasing global dependence on satellite technology, space traffic has grown exponentially over the last decade. Enhanced education and training of future mission operators will be necessary to meet this growing demand. The complexity of satellite mission operations poses a challenge in education and training. Remote spacecraft are elusive and difficult for a trainee to visualize and involve a steep learning curve. However, the integration of game-based virtual reality into spacecraft simulation and training may assist in overcoming these challenges. This research study explored the integration of game-based virtual reality into a university course involving spacecraft operations. Virtual spacewalks allowed student participants to conduct visual inspections and interact directly with spacecraft components. The immersive virtual reality environment prolonged cognitive engagement and game mechanics influenced motivation, both cornerstones in learning. After completing the training scenarios, user experience was assessed with several validated scales measuring system usability, user satisfaction, cognitive loading, and any potential simulator sickness. Results revealed satisfactory scores in all categories with minimal simulator sickness. The integrated use of game-based virtual reality in the classroom provided an enhanced learning experience in a safe and repeatable environment that might be difficult with traditional teaching methods. This paper will evaluate game-based virtual reality when integrated into higher education or other training environments

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya UPC NanoSat Lab is part of the CommSensLab-UPC Specific Research Center of the Department of Signal Theory and Communications, and counts with the support of the School of Telecommunications Engineering (Telecom Barcelona, ETSETB). It is located in the UPC Campus Nord. The lab was originally created in 2007 to promote the testing of novel remote sensors and techniques in space, taking advantage of CubeSats. Over time, the lab has also started the study of Earth-to-space IoT and RF intersatellite link communications, as key enabling technologies for the next revolution of Earth Observation. At the time of writing this abstract, the UPC NanoSat Lab has developed and launched four CubeSats, and is working in three new missions that will be launched in Q4 2022 - Q1 2023. At present, the Lab is developing an "Open PocketQube Kit" for IEEE as a low-cost educational platform on space-related technologies. The lab has also a Class 8 clean room equipped with a shaker and thermal vacuum chamber, and Helmholtz coils, air bearing system, and Sun simulator for attitude determination and control system testing to conduct the environmental tests. Finally, in the MontSec Astronomical Observatory (OAdM),which is managed and operated by IEEC, hosts the UPCNanoSat Lab VHF/UHF and S-band ground station [3], where the data from the 3Cat-5/A satellite where downloaded. Since its inception in 2007, about 300 students have been trained in the lab, either as undergraduate students in the "Advanced Engineering Project" of the ETSETB, as Final Degree or Master Thesis projects, as graduate students, or just for an internship. This paper presents a quick overview of the past, present and future activities of the UPC NanoSat Lab

In the field of space travel, space communications has always presented a slew of obstacles and hurdles that must be overcome in order to complete a successful mission. Space limits inside a satellite or spaceship, vast distances between satellites and ground stations, and a phenomenon known as "Faraday Rotation" in the ionosphere are only a few of the most typical issues. Satellite antennas must be small, compact, efficient, and circularly polarized as a result of the aforementioned issues. The helix antenna is an excellent answer for all of the requirements. In this work we develop a deployment and pointing mechanism of a helix antenna operated with software defined radio algorithms. The features of helix antennas are exceptional, and they are especially suitable for satellite communication. Three coaxial cylinders, two stepper motors, one pulley, and one thread make up a deployment-pointing mechanism. The mechanism deploys the antenna along its longitudinal axis and turns it horizontally towards the ground station. During the flight, the antenna is deployed and retracted. Under different positioning situations, the GPS, an altimeter, and a compass calculate the gondola's position in order to rotate the antenna towards the Ground Station and close the communication link. The antenna's rotation mechanism is triggered by the integrated attitude determination and control system algorithms in order to correct the pointing and orientation towards the Ground Station. The antenna uses software defined radio algorithms to achieve weight and volume reductions while maintaining high efficiency and reconfigurability. The experiment includes a high-definition camera that provides real-time information on the antenna's orientation and condition. SHADE's flight on the BEXUS 28/29 balloon resulted in effective deployment and transmission, as well as the ability to receive and decode transmitted packets. The rotating mechanism met the pointing requirements, and all of the sensor's data was correctly saved to our system. Throughout the trip, there were no signs of thermal risk

Fly Your Satellite!” (FYS) is a recurring programme part of ESA Academy’s portfolio of “hands-on” activities. The programme was established to support University student teams in the development of their own CubeSat missions and aims at transferring knowledge and experience from ESA specialists to students. Selected teams are guided through project reviews and supervised through design consolidation and verification activities, conducted according to ESA professional practice and standards, tailored to fit the scope of university CubeSat projects. As part of the educational goal of the programme, a systematic effort of capturing, discussing and contextualising difficulties, mistakes, and anomalies in general, is carried out. From this effort, the participating students benefit from a unique framework where lessons learned from one project can be transferred to other ones. This exercise is blended with the “regular” transfer of knowledge from the ESA professionals that support the programme and occurs both concurrently (lessons learned from current cycles) and from previous projects (lessons learned from previous cycles). This paper reports a revised and updated collection of lessons learned during phase C/D of the FYS CubeSat projects, in particular the projects now participating in the 2nd cycle (FYS2). At the same time potential changes and mitigating approaches are discussed. Particular focus is given to lessons learned from issues which arose in hardware development activities, as well as from planning and execution of system-level assembly, integration, and verification (AIV) activities. This approach is taken since first-time developers tend to underestimate the number of issues arising when their design is translated from documentation and models into real hardware. In general, it has been observed that many of these issues typically arise from lack of (space) project management experience of the student teams, or from the lack of resources which prevent the application of standard/established methodologies to small satellite/educational projects

Nowadays, lots of opportunities are offered to students to fly their own experiment on board of rockets or balloons. Thanks to those opportunities, young scientists have a chance to experience hands-on project and even to find a vocation: pursuing experimentations on-board of flight missions. However, it can appear, for these young professionals, that flying on board sounding rockets or stratospheric balloons is hard to access or to afford. Yet the opportunities exist and are waiting for them! Space educational programmes enable students to learn, in a short period of time, all phases of a scientific project; a unique chance to experience a full project cycle from objectives’ definition to the publication of the results. Thus, students define mission requirements, design, manufacture, test and finally launch their own experiment! On REXUS/BEXUS [1] for example, students experience an end-to-end project with all disciplines required by a Space project (science, mechanics, electronics, software, system engineering, management, finances, outreach). The concretisation of all efforts occurs during the launch campaign, organised at SSC Esrange (Sweden). The campaign is always an intense period for the participants: high level of concentration, pressure, stress but a massive work that pays off during the flight and after. Usually, this key event enables ideas and improvements to pop up; a prolific event to define the next step of an experiment, maybe on a future mission! Many students start their professional career after the campaign. Despite new ideas and the drive to pursue, a common idea of these young professionals is that it is hard to access to flight opportunities on sounding rockets or stratospheric balloons while not being a student anymore: too expensive to finance a campaign? too complex to organise? who to contact? Many questions that it is time to answer. Yes, it is possible! At SSC, we enable access to stratospheric balloons, sounding rockets and drop tests on a cost-efficient entrance level or fully funded through national and international programmes. One of these examples is the EOSTRE mission [2] (Experiment on Outliving Microorganisms under Stratospheric Environment), developed by FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences (Germany) in collaboration with the University of Oulu (Finland); a former BEXUS team that developed its own balloon mission, launched successfully from Esrange in March 2020. Several former students from REXUS/BEXUS have joined professional opportunities, such as the HEMERA [3] programme, with the experiments GRASS from INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica) and STRAINS (Sapienza University, Rome) and launched it from Esrange in September 2021. Today, SSC is also offering ride share opportunities on sounding rockets with the programme SubOrbital Express [4]; first successful launch was in June 2019 on board MASER 14 (S1X-1). Opportunities are still open for the next missions in fall 2022 (S1X-3) and in 2023 (S1X-4)

Faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students of the School of Communication and Aerospace Engineering (Polytechnical University of Catalonia) are participating in a series of studies to determine the thermospheric density. These studies involve planning a space mission, designing and constructing small satellites, and performing related data analysis. This article presents a method for determining the thermospheric density and summarises the academic context in which we develop our work. Several studies have reported the existence of a downtrend in thermospheric density, with relative values ranging from –2% to –7% per decade. Although it is well known that solar and geomagnetic activity are the main drivers of the variations of the thermospheric density, this downtrend was reported to be caused by the rise of greenhouse gases. We present an update of this progression, considering the last solar cycle (2009-2021) and using Two-Line Elements sets (TLE) of 1U CubeSats and the spherical satellites ANDE-2. TLEs were used to propagate the orbits numerically using SGP4 (Simplified General Perturbations), and then compute the average density between two consecutive TLEs by integrating the appropriate differential equation. Then, using the NRLMSISE-00 (Picone 2002) and JB2008 (Bowman 2008) atmospheric models, we calculated an average density deviation per year. We built a comprehensive time series of the thermospheric density values, ranging from 1967 to the present. We merged Emmert (2015) thermospheric density data and our results computed both with NRLMSISE-00 and with JB2008. A linear regression on the combined dataset yields a decreasing trend of –5.1% per decade. We also studied the geomagnetic and solar activity to isolate the possible greenhouse gasses effect during the considered period. Our results show a strong correlation between geomagnetic activity and density deviation near the solar minima, and we propose that the cause of the previously reported long-term density deviation could be a poor adjustment of the effects of geomagnetic activity. Finally, we proved that orbital information from small satellites could be efficiently used to assess the evolution of thermospheric density variations. Additional data obtained from future missions (as the one proposed by our group) will eventually allow a better characterisation of the atmospheric density and help disentangle the possible greenhouse gasses effects on its variations

This article describes EnduroSat’s Space Educational modules which are used to physically simulate radio wave communication in space applications for small satellite missions. The educational modules generate physical ultra high frequency radio waves and recreate the conditions of the environment. They can also simulate the effects of S-band and X-band frequencies by changing the losses accordingly while the physical simulation remains at ultra high frequencies. They are intended for practical hands-on exercises of students in the space communications sector. The modules utilize the same equipment currently used in space and are used to experimentally analyze the link budget, noises and error rate of signal. Simulating a given configuration of a satellite and ground station’s parameters with them exposes the system’s vulnerabilities and its reliability when transmitting signals. The system consists of two identical transceiver modules that can emit and receive information in the form of radio waves, and a free space propagation simulator module. Each of the modules connects via Universal Serial Bus to a host computer with the simulation software. In this paper we present the modules and some of their uses for education

The low representation of women (~33%) in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers is extremely concerning and cultivates male-dominant cultures across a variety of academic and professional disciplines. In Spain, only 39% of national projects are led by women, thus evidencing the so-called “leaking pipeline”, that is, the tendency of women and other underrepresented groups to eventually abandon STEM-related fields. This social disequilibrium is particularly strong in the international space sector, where women represent less than ~20% of the workforce. The Hypatia I mission —a multi-generational and multi-disciplinary crew of 9 female scientists— seeks to help address this problem. In April 2023, the Hypatia I crew will participate in a two-week Martian analog mission at the Mars Desert Research Station (Utah, United States) with the goal of (i) performing high-quality space-related research in a simulation environment, (ii) conducting outreach and science communication activities, and most importantly, (iii) promoting female role models in STEM-related fields and inspiring future generations of scientists, particularly young girls interested in space careers

The Stuttgart Space Station Design Workshop, aimed at university students and young professionals, focuses on the conceptual design of a space station in an interdisciplinary and international environment within a limited timeframe. It lasts about one week and has been carried out by the Institute of Space Systems – University of Stuttgart for over 20 years. The goal of the workshop, besides its educational purpose, is to obtain creative solutions from the future generation of space experts. For the participants, the SSDW offers a unique opportunity for learning by doing and to get involved in a space project. Participants do not only need to apply their knowledge obtained during their university courses but also to put in practice and improve soft skills. The workshop starts with some lectures in relevant fields such as Project Management, Systems Engineering, as well as the different subsystems, for example Life Support. The participants are then divided into two teams. To monitor the teams’ progress several milestones and reviews are planned during the week. Several tools, guides, recipes and experts are available during the workshop. Within the team, each member has a specific role, which is defined before the workshop starts, allowing preparation. The mission statement of the workshop changes every year, adapting to the current plans on human spaceflight exploration. The results of the last editions have been presented at international renowned conferences. In 2020, due to the current COVID-19 situation the workshop was cancelled. In 2021, with increasing vaccination rates in Europe, the situation had improved. However, carrying out such an international in-person workshop was still not an option. For that, the core team decided to carry out for the first time the SSDW in a digital form. Adapting the existing workshop to a digital form presented many challenges but at the same time offered many opportunities. This version has allowed to join participants and staff, that would not have been able to attend in-person, and has also opened new possibilities of communication, using currently existing tools. This paper first introduces the main characteristics of the workshop before it presents a comparison between the 2019 edition, which took place in-person, and the 2021 edition, the first digital SSDW. It summarizes the activities that took place during the one-week workshop, the tools used, and the feedback provided by the participants and staff

Mubody is an astrodynamics open-source Python library focused on the libration points. Such points result from the equilibrium of the gravitational forces between two massive bodies as the Sun and Earth, for example. The library is mainly intended for the generation of orbits in these regions, which is not a straightforward process, specially if perturbations are considered. Currently, the library allows to generate Lissajous orbits in the second Lagrange point of the Sun-Earth system under the influence of perturbations such as the Earth orbit eccentricity. The next milestone, as a result of a master student work, is the incorporation of Halo orbits and the expansion to all three collinear libration points from any two massive bodies of the Solar System. This tool has been developed as part of a PhD, motivated by the need of performing mission analysis in libration point regions. Nevertheless, since its creation it has also proven to be an excellent academic tool for both enhancing the library itself and using its results for further studies (collision risk, thermal analysis, formation flight control, etc). As a result, the tool has rapidly evolved, building onto the knowledge and experience that the students gather while working on their academic projects (bachelor’s degree dissertations, master theses, subjects, internships). The participation on the library development provides students with experience in orbital mechanics, software design, version control and it compels them to ensure that their work can be readily used by others as it is properly documented. The project is hosted in GitLab under a MIT licence

Galileo navigation system is composed by a constellation of MEO satellites for PNT service, transmitting navigation signals in E5, E6 and E1 frequency bands. SENER has been in the Galileo Space Segment since the In-Orbit Validation phase (IOV), being responsible for the design, development, manufacturing, assembly, integration and test of 90 flight units to the Galileo constellation, including Search and Rescue Antennas, Search and Rescue Transponders, Mission Receivers and S-band Antennas for both In-Orbit Validation (IOV) and Full Operational Capability (FOC) phases. Currently Galileo 2nd Generation (G2G) Satellites are under development by Airbus and Thales with two parallel Contracts funded by the European Commission

The DEAR project (Dusty Environment Application Research) investigates the interaction between lunar regolith and surfaces and components relevant for lunar exploration. Based on the TUBS regolith simulant which is representative in chemistry, size and shape properties to Moon soils to study the regolith transport, adhesion and strategies for cleaning. The regolith simulant will be applied to thermal, structural, optical sensor, sealing and other astronautic systems, providing input for requirements, justification and verification. The key applications are split in human space flight regolith investigations, wrinkled surface with random movement and hardware surfaces, flat material defined movement. The paper provides an overview of the DEAR project including a discussion of the first results, in particular vibration, shock and micro-vibration on regolith bearing surfaces. The investigation shall enable better understand the regolith layers interaction and the release mechanism, as well as potential cross contamination and cleaning strategies. The research is complemented by simulation of the regolith motion as parameter surface plasma interactions. The project is funded and supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). DEAR specifically addresses the development and testing of lunar dust removal strategies on optics, mechanisms and human space flight hardware (e.g., space suits). As the Moons regolith is known to be highly abrasive, electrically chargeable, and potentially chemically reactive, lunar dust might reduce the performance of hardware, such as cameras, thermal control surfaces and solar cells. The dust can cause malfunction on seals for on/off mechanisms or space suits. Of particular interest are risk assessment, avoidance, and cleaning techniques such as the use of electric fields to remove lunar dust from surfaces. Representative dust (e.g., regolith analogues of interesting landing sites) will be used in a dedicated test setup to evaluate risks and effects of lunar dust. We describe designs and methods developed by the DEAR consortium to deal with the regolith-related issues, in particular an electrode design to deflect regolith particles, cleaning of astronautical systems with CO2, design of a robotic arm for the testing within the DEAR chamber, regolith removal via shock, and regolith interaction with cleanroom textiles

Throughout the last decade a renewed interest for lunar space exploration has been expressed through the announcements of many ambitious missions such as Artemis. Annually the Space Station Design Workshop (SSDW) tasks students and young professionals to design a space station concept in a con-current engineering environment. In line with the elevated interest on the Moon this year's SSDW was centred around a self-sustainable lunar habitat. This paper presents the conceptual design of Team Blue at the SSDW 2021. Advanced Moon Operations and Resource Extraction (AMORE) is conceptu-alized as a public-private cooperation for the creation of a lunar platform that acts as an outpost for human exploration and robotic In-situ Resources Utilization (ISRU). AMORE’s proposed location is near the rim of Shackleton Crater at the Lunar South Pole. This location provides opportunities in science and ISRU and favourable sun coverage and thermal conditions. The terrain offers a natural shield for debris and storage advantages for ISRU. The mission architecture allows for incremental crew size increase through a modular dome structure, an initial prioritization of ISRU and a sustainable resource management strategy. Based on the identified system requirements, the initial configuration envisions one core module and two modular structures that would serve as greenhouses or living spaces. The phasing of the base assembly is designed to allow for adequate conditions of an increasing crew size capacity. The greenhouse modules are designed to provide all required oxygen and most required food supply. The modules are constructed using lightweight inflatable structures, while a regolith shell will provide radiation as well as thermal and micrometeorite protection. For reliable communication, a cus-tom relay network named Lunar Earth Telecommand Telemetry Relay (LETTER) is proposed. The mis-sion architecture analysis includes several methods to financially utilize the mission. These include a range of services on the lunar surface such as training facilities for deep space missions, leasing habitats to other Moon explorers, and performing scientific and technological demonstrations. A variety of rovers will be used throughout the mission that will assist in various aspects. In addition to this, a scalable hybrid power generation system that utilizes the abundant sunlight and nuclear energy assures a suffi-cient power supply throughout the entire mission lifetime. This research presents a holistic architecture for a Moon base, which provides an approach to initially utilize the Moon. Within this context, the mission concept is primarily based on already existing or currently in-development technologies. Hence, AMORE offers an approach for a financially and technologically feasible as well as a continuous and expandable human presence on the lunar surface

Per a descobrir la viabilitat de la creació i transport d'un hàbitat per altres mons, cal realitzar infinitud d'estudis per poder portar-ho a la realitat. Aquest projecte se centrarà en el disseny i dimensionament d'un hàbitat, en la destinació dels espais i la maquinària mínima necessària per a la vida en altres indrets del sistema solar. Per començar el projecte s'haurà de trobar quin mitjà de transport podrà portar l'habitacle fins a la Lluna, d'aquest haurem d'obtenir la càrrega útil i dimensions màximes admissibles. En el moment que sapiguem com arribar, seria crucial buscar una font d'energia, la qual aportarà electricitat a tota la maquinària destinada al suport de vida i als aparells d'ús quotidià. En dissenyar l'habitacle caldrà saber a quins riscos estarà exposat, cal remarcar que la Lluna és considerat un medi extrem, on hi ha grans nivells de radiació còsmica i materials tòxics pels humans. També cal dir que la falta per descobrir molta informació sobre el nostre satèl·lit, com l'estabilitat del terra, ubicació d'aigua, zones en foscor continua tot això també suposa un risc. La selecció de materials serà rellevant per aquesta missió, ja que s'haurà d'escollir els que tinguin majors prestacions amb la menor densitat possible, per mantenir un baix pes. També s'haurà de tindre en compte els materials que s'utilitzaran per a protegir-se de les temperatures extremes, la radiació i els impactes dels meteorits. Un cop hàgim seleccionat el material estructural es podrà procedir al dimensionament de les bigues estructurals gràcies a càlculs teòrics els quals seran comprovats amb simulacions. Si les simulacions són positives el pas següent, serà el càlcul del pes de l'estructura. I serà sumat el pes de la maquinària, mobiliari, alimentació i aigua i oxigen. Un cop el pes total sigui calculat serà comparat amb la càrrega màxima admissible i en el cas que sigui inferior, sabrem que la missió podria ser viable. En cas afirmatiu, es podrà pressupostar el capital mínim In order to discover the feasibility of developing and transporting a habitat to other worlds, it’s necessary to analyze and create a lot of different studies to bring this to reality. This project focuses on the design and sizing of a habitat, the analyze of the best location of rooms and the minimum machines and devices needed for life in other spaces of the solar system. In order to start this project, we should find the best way to transport the living space from the Earth to the Moon, and to analyze the range of maximum payload and allowable dimensions. Once we know how to arrive, it would be crucial to look for a source of energy, that will provide electricity to the life support devices and to the domestic appliances. When designing the living structure, it will be necessary to know the risks to which it will be exposed to, as the Moon is considered an extreme environment with high levels of cosmic radiation and toxic materials for human beings. We should also have in mind that there is a relevant lack of information regarding our satellite as the stability of the land, the water location and the areas in permanent darkness that add additional risks to our project. The selection of materials will be most relevant for this mission, as the maximum performance with the lowest possible density has to be selected, in order to maintain a low level of load. The chosen materials must protect against extreme temperatures, radiation, and meteorite impacts. Once the structural material has been selected, we should start sizing the structural elements using theoretical calculations that will be verified simulations. If the simulations are positive, the next step will be calculating the weight of the structure, algo taking into consideration, the weight of the machines, furniture, food, water, and oxygen. Once the total weight has been calculated, it needs to be compared to the maximum allowable load and, in the event that is still lower, we will know that the mission cou

Nowadays, the interest in setting up a human base outside the Earth has set its sight on our satellite. Aiming to the intention of building a Human Lunar Base, humans have launched several missions in order to improve lunar research. Rovers and probes have landed on the Moon and obtained promising results from their findings and explorations. Despite the success in research on the satellite using rovers, the operations at the Moon with rovers require the endurance of those during the lunar night. The night on the Moon is a period during which temperatures reach about 100 K due to the absence of sunlight, given the slow rotation rate of the satellite. Due to these severe conditions in the lunar environment, rovers performing long-duration missions are required a heat source. The Thermal Wadi concept is a device that sustains rovers¿ temperature during cold lunar nights, and can be built from in-situ lunar materials. The usage of in-situ resources utilization (ISRU) to build the system solves the adversities that Radioisotope Power Systems ¿the current system used for space exploration maintenance¿ have. Representing a significant reduction in the cost of lunar missions, ISRU is key in the future of space exploration. The aim of this work is to design, simulate and analyze a thermal system to sustain long-term missions for rovers on the Moon. The arrangement of the system and the energy provided by it will be described and analyzed during this project. The main goal is to implement the Thermal Wadi concept and combine prior research results to assess the most possibly optimized system. Also, the manufacturing of all the elements with ISRU materials will be prioritized and evaluated, in order to study the best condition on the lunar surface. This project could serve for future implementation of a Human Lunar Base using the Thermal Wadi as one of its thermal systems.

Space debris is a currently increasing aerospace problem. Several organizations and space agencies put a great effort in time and resources for their detection and follow up. However, given the overwhelming number of space junk debris and the great variety of sizes, it surpasses the capabilities of any particular project. Small optical telescopes, such as the Joan Or¿o Telescope at the Montsec Astronomical Facilities and JAST80 at the Jalavalambre Observatory may contribute to alleviate this problem. In this thesis, an initial general review of space debris detection is presented, especially focused on the detection and observation with small optical telescopes. Then, with the use of open software, ORDEM 3.1 from NASA, a set of simulations is performed in order to reproduce the observable characteristics of space debris, such as different orbital parameters, debris sizes and configurations. These simulations are adapted to the Joan Or¿o Telescope, at the Parc Observatori de Montsec and the JAST80, at the Observatorio Astronomico de Javalambre, in order to elucidate the possibility of observing such objects. The study is done using two types of coordinate systems for observations: equatorial and altazimuth, both implemented in Montsec and Javalambre. To check the viability of the thesis, our results are compared to those from real studies that have been done with optical telescope, particularly the Zimmerwald telescope for GEO debris, and Mt. Haleakala and Diego Garcia island telescopes for LEO debris. Finally, as main results we can point out that equatorial coordinates system presents the capability of detecting brightest objects, specifically in Montsec. On the other hand, altazimuth coordinate system shows the possibility of detecting faintest objects and in particular in Javalambre observatory. The detectable objects will range from tiny objects (1 cm) to large objects (more than 1 m of diameter).

The aerospace sector has always been a challenge. The complex nature of the field requires for talented, skilful engineers. And while the university does great on the development of the theoretical background, it barely gets into the practical application. This is why embracing educational activities is critical to help students develop their technical and teamwork skills in the professional sector. UPC Space Program is an engineering student association based in the Terrassa campus of the Polytechnical University of Catalonia (Spain), and formed by 5 missions and 80 members. Each mission targets a field of interest in the space sector: rocketry, UAVs for space exploration, High Altitude Balloons, rovers and CubeSats. The sharing of the common spaces by such a number of people who are working on so many and diverse projects creates a vibrant and creative environment that incites learning. Our work is aligned with the current activities in the space sector. As the exploration of the terrestrial bodies of the Solar System highly benefits from the use of rovers, our Grass mission is focused on the development of planetary exploration rovers. After achieving 10th place in the European Rover Challenge 2021, the objective is to further upgrade the vehicle for the next edition. But currently, a new exploration focus is appearing as flying vehicles are entering the stage. In this context, our Aldora mission is based around a concept mission to Titan via an autonomous plane capable of deploying scientific probes. Obviously, space exploration is not possible without the presence of space transport vehicles. In this matter, Ares mission is focused on the development of High Power amateur rockets. Currently, Ares is developing a supersonic rocket set to participate in EUROC 2022 competition. But most of the payloads carried by rockets are satellites. In this field, the Horus mission aims to investigate and optimize the manufacture of a CubeSat, along with mission performance, to create a fully operational satellite, currently set to participate in the Europe to Space competition. Finally, there is yet another way to perform space science. Our Zephyros mission works in the development of High Altitude Balloons, also developing a set of experiments to test in near-space conditions. The next objective is to achieve the first student-developed zero pressure balloon in Spain

The Chair of Space Technology at TU Berlin continuously develops new satellite technology and software that is verified and used in various missions in orbit. 27 satellites were launched as of 2022. Many of these satellites by far outreach their design lifetime and work until today. At the same time, an increasing number of satellites not only in the academic domain is demanding for qualified operators. Hence, some of the satellites at TU Berlin are not fully operated anymore. To enable an efficient and sustainable use of those satellites, a novel hands-on student-driven project was implemented in order to utilize these aged but functional satellites to train a new generation of satellite operators. In this lecture course, students with various backgrounds are introduced to the basics of satellite operations by student tutors. Using a laboratory model of a CubeSat as a hardware-in-the-loop operations simulation, participants can collect first experiences in the university’s own Mission Control Center (MCC). Besides theoretical and practical foundations of satellite operations they gain skills in managing and coordinating satellite missions. After finishing the basic course in a theoretical and practical operations test, students qualify to participate in the advanced project giving them the opportunity to work with and operate the available satellites in orbit under supervision. Each semester, several interdisciplinary teams conduct experiments such as Earth Observation scenarios or work on related tasks like the improvement of the operations software or Human Factors of satellite operations. The pandemic has posed new challenges to this innovative educational concept, but was also a motivation to find alternative ways to teach satellite operations. The setup of simulated operations in the MCC was transformed into a combined setup of remote access and video conference. In this way, students are enabled to practice satellite operations from home. Theoretical lectures are prepared as screencasts. Further, the advanced project work was transferred to a remote manner. Students planned satellite scenarios from home, which subsequently were conducted by the student tutors, who provided the acquired telemetry data to the participants for analysis. Among the results of the project are several images with the focus on environmental monitoring of Earth, a software update for a satellite and the continuous analysis and documentation of degradation of components that have been in orbit for many years. These achievements do not only provide exciting hands-on classes and new skills to the students but often even contribute to the institution’s research

The ESA Academy is the ESA Education Office’s overarching programme for university students. The Academy’s portfolio consists of both ‘hands-on’ activities, and a Training and Learning Programme. Conventionally both of these elements involve a significant number of in person events, for example training sessions, workshops and test and launch campaigns. The educational nature and practical aspects of such events has traditionally necessitated in person participation. Additionally, most of the Academy’s ‘hands-on’ programmes revolve around student teams designing, building, testing and operating an experiment or spacecraft, activities which rely on the availability and delivery of commercial components, and access to manufacturing, testing and launch facilities, and laboratories. In March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated restrictions, began to take hold in Europe, nearly all the ESA Academy programmes were affected. Despite the challenges, the Academy continued to deliver activities, and the student teams participating in the Academy’s programmes continued to achieve major milestones, including launching experiments to the ISS, CubeSat testing and launch and execution of micro- and hyper-gravity experiments. This paper explores the challenges faced during COVID-19 and how both the programmes and the students participating in the programmes adapted to meet their educational, scientific, and technical goals. Furthermore, the longer-term adaptation of some of these changes into the future execution of the programmes is discussed

The Satellite for Orbital Aerodynamics Research (SOAR) is a 3U CubeSat that has been designed to investigate the aerodynamic performance of different materials and perform demonstrations of aerodynamic attitude control manoeuvres in very low Earth orbit (VLEO). SOAR was deployed from the ISS on 14th June 2021 into a naturally decaying orbit and deorbited on 14th March 2022. This paper provides an overview of the operations performed during the mission and presents preliminary experimental results obtained from this spacecraft. SOAR was designed and launched within the frame of DISCOVERER, a Horizon 2020 project that aimed to support the development of a new class of commercially viable spacecraft operating in VLEO, i.e., orbits below 450 km in altitude. Operating in these lower altitude orbits has several benefits to the design of spacecraft, particularly for Earth observation and communications applications. However, development of spacecraft that can operate sustainably at these altitudes requires advancement in foundational technologies, for example atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) and novel aerodynamic materials. The primary aim of SOAR was to characterise the aerodynamic performance of different materials at very low altitudes and accomplished this task using a set of steerable fins that exposed different materials to the oncoming flow and an ion and neutral mass spectrometer (INMS) to provide in-situ measurements of atmospheric properties. SOAR was also designed to perform novel aerodynamic attitude control manoeuvres and measurements of thermospheric winds. Two of the materials carried to orbit were selected for their atomic oxygen erosion resistance and potential improvement in aerodynamic performance. The identification of such materials would allow for a reduction in the drag experienced in VLEO, the design of atmospheric intakes with greater efficiency used for ABEP, and implementation of enhanced aerodynamic attitude and orbit control. Ongoing ground-based experimentation seeks to further characterise the properties of such materials and to deepen our understanding of the physical interaction mechanisms that occur in the rarefied flow environment of VLEO.

Very Low Earth Orbits (VLEOs), those below 450 km, present a number of benefits and challenges for the development and operation of Earth observation spacecraft at both the system and mission level. This paper examines the design of constellations of satellites for operation in VLEO for Earth observation considering both system and mission level trade-offs. The resulting analysis identifies general design trends and proposes suitable mission architectures for Earth observation from VLEO. The principal benefit for satellites operating in VLEO is that the reduction in the distance to the Earth’s surface allows better imaging resolution to be achieved using smaller and less powerful payloads. This has corresponding benefits for the system mass and cost. However, the sustained and controlled operation of spacecraft in VLEO is challenging due to the increased atmospheric density at these altitudes, which increases propulsive and attitude control requirements. Technologies to facilitate the commercially viable operation of spacecraft in VLEO are currently being developed, for example materials to facilitate drag-reduction and aerodynamic control and atmosphere-breathing electric propulsion systems (ABEP), each of which influence the design of other sub-systems, requiring, for example, varying levels of power or new geometric considerations. At the mission level, the reduction in altitude has a generally negative influence on the coverage and revisit characteristics of a given satellite. However, deployment of these satellites in constellations can provide improvements in the overall system metrics. Systems operating in VLEO may also benefit from improved launch vehicle capability and assured end-of-life deorbit. It is clear, therefore, that important and non-intuitive trade-offs between the satellite platform design, constellation configuration, and total cost arise in the design of these systems. This paper uses combined platform-level system modelling and mission analysis to explore the design of constellations of satellites in VLEO for Earth observation and demonstrates the necessity of a holistic approach to mission and system design when considering operations in VLEO.