LIST launches nanosatellite to exhibit vitality harvesting in area
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jun 18, 2024
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Know-how (LIST) has launched its CubeSat undertaking, LIST-SAT-01, marking the primary Luxembourgish nanosatellite initiative with an in-house scientific experiment. This undertaking goals to check and advance applied sciences developed at LIST, rising their Know-how Readiness Stage (TRL) and attaining flight heritage for on-board applied sciences.
On the core of the CubeSat undertaking is a nanosatellite weighing 1.2 kilograms, that includes a thermal vitality harvester with pyroelectric supplies developed by LIST. This know-how not too long ago obtained the European Analysis Council (ERC) Superior Grant.
“The scientific objectives of the CubeSat undertaking revolve round demonstrating the know-how of an vitality harvesting system,” stated Olivier Bouton, undertaking supervisor. “The satellite tv for pc will harvest vitality from temperature cycles induced by its orbit.” Because the satellite tv for pc orbits Earth, its orientation will range, inflicting temperature fluctuations that can be used to reap vitality.
The CubeSat will embody three applied sciences developed by LIST:
– Pyroelectric Power Harvester: Produces electrical energy from warmth modulation in area.
– Tremendous Black Coating: Absorbs and emits thermal radiation effectively.
– Inkjet Printed Sensors: Thermal gauges to observe the payload experiment in area.
The undertaking goals to exhibit the system’s efficiency of those three applied sciences working collectively. The black physique absorbs photo voltaic radiation effectively, heating up throughout solar publicity and emitting warmth throughout eclipses, enhancing total vitality seize. This method goals to enhance conventional photovoltaic panels and mitigate sensitivity to radiation-induced degradation and ballistic impacts of orbiting particles.
Analysis Collaboration
The CubeSat undertaking is a collaboration amongst 4 companions, with LIST because the coordinator and CSUM (College Area Middle Montpellier, France) as the principle contributor. The undertaking additionally includes radio novice golf equipment F8KGY ARRT (Thionville, France) and ADRAD Kayldall LX9AK (Rumelange, Luxembourg) for radiocommunication between the CubeSat and the bottom station.
CSUM has experience in designing, growing, testing, and working nanosatellites. The satellite tv for pc can be primarily based on their present space-qualified platform.
The CubeSat launch is scheduled for January 2026, with the undertaking initiated in September 2023. The timeline consists of system definition and specification in 2023-2024, manufacturing and debugging in 2024-2025, qualification checks in late 2025, and operation in area after the early 2026 launch, lasting no less than one yr.
“This undertaking brings collectively complementary experience and expertise of various groups throughout the division of Supplies (MRT) of LIST,” stated Jerome Polesel, Know-how and Innovation Supervisor at LIST. “It’s the first time that such vitality harvesting know-how can be applied in a satellite tv for pc, aiming to synergize our completely different know-hows.
This flagship undertaking is really a giant supply of motivation for our technical workers.” The CubeSat undertaking additionally goals to create alternatives for additional improvement of payload know-how and pave the best way for future demonstration missions of different LIST applied sciences. “As one of many first scientific Luxembourgish nanosatellites, the initiative aligns completely with the supplies division’s strategic initiative’s ‘Flagship demos’ goal, which focuses on extremely bold real-scale demonstrations of superior end-products,” added Jerome Polesel.
Associated Hyperlinks
Luxembourg Institute of Science and Know-how
Area Know-how Information – Purposes and Analysis