Triumph as the LEDSAT team complete their adventure with Fly Your Satellite!
In brief
The student team behind Fly Your Satellite! project LEDSAT are celebrating after completing their final presentation, held online on 22 July 2022. Watching with interest were other Fly Your Satellite! teams, ESA experts that have supported LEDSAT over the years, and an enthusiastic cohort of students from LEDSAT’s home University, Sapienza, in Rome.
In-depth
LEDSAT joined the second round of Fly Your Satellite! in 2017. Their mission objective was innovative to say the least: use tiny LED lights attached to the CubeSat’s exterior to flash when in Earth’s shadow, allowing ground stations to ascertain how the satellite is oriented in space.
The team’s journey has not been easy, with many hurdles overcome. Back in 2018, LEDSAT underwent intense radiation tests before facing a Critical Design Review, followed by satellite assembly and numerous examinations throughout 2020. A particularly significant milestone was reached in June 2021, as LEDSAT passed its Flight Acceptance Review. To make things even harder, the COVID-19 pandemic was constantly challenging the team to change their methods of working. Then, on 17 August 2021, came the moment when all the hard work finally paid off, as LEDSAT was lofted into space on a Vega rocket launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana!
The team’s final presentation marked the conclusion of their time with Fly Your Satellite! A mission overview was given, from the project’s inception all the way to LEDSAT orbiting Earth. Then came the first scientific results, showing how successful telescopic observations have been made of LEDSAT’s LEDs flashing from space. The students are now busy assessing the data to decipher the orbit and attitude of the satellite. Hopes are high, and if the mission works as intended then the technology could be rolled out too many more satellites, providing a valuable method of avoiding collisions in orbit.
The LEDSAT students then discussed the lessons they have learned, ranging from technical, to programmatic, and educational aspects. This showed how valuable the programme has been to the students and allowed them to share the benefit of their experience with other teams. The presentation culminated in a stirring speech from the Fly Your Satellite! coordinator, looking back and celebrating the numerous impressive achievements of the LEDSAT team.
LEDSAT’s mission will continue for many months, even as its time in Fly Your Satellite! has come to an end. The Fly Your Satellite! team would like to congratulate the LEDSAT students, and thanks them for all their hard work over the years. It has been a wonderful journey and we are proud to have been with you every step of the way!