The CubeSat Support Facility full of good VIBES
In brief
VIBES – a 3U CubeSat currently being developed by the VIBES Research Team of the City University of Applied Sciences Bremen (HSB), Germany – was selected for the May 2024 test window of the Fly Your Satellite! Test Opportunities. Following their selection, they successfully participated to a complete vibration test campaign from 13 to 17 May 2024, at the CubeSat Support Facility located at ESEC Redu, Belgium.
In-depth
The purpose of this campaign was to allow the students to subject the Structural-Thermal Model of their CubeSat to mechanical loads to ensure its survival during the harsh launch environment. This campaign was a crucial milestone towards the team's objective of launching their CubeSat soon. A unique experience that reinforced their technical skills and eagerness for space engineering.
Six students from the VIBES CubeSat Team travelled from Bremen to ESA ESEC in their quest to test their own designed and manufactured 3U CubeSat inside their in-house TestPod. Having started their project in 2021, the ambition of VIBES Team is to make modern everyday technologies applicable for spaceflight products to enhance the satellites performance.
From May 13th to 17th, the test campaign took place at the CubeSat Support Facility in ESEC, Belgium. The main objective of the campaign was to conduct different vibration tests on the Structure-Thermal Model of Pioneer. Such a model aims to be mechanically and thermally representative of the final model to be launched, without the high costs associated with Flight Model hardware. Pioneer had undergone rigorous preparation during the first days of the campaign, including a fit check within both the team’s and the facility’s test adapters, inspection, as well as verification of mass and dimensions. This part was essential to guarantee the safest and most efficient test possible.
The 20kN electrodynamic shaker of the CubeSat Support Facility allowed was used for the vibration test enabling the VIBES Team to analyse the impact of the stresses experienced by the satellite during launch. This Test campaign enabled the students to learn more about their hardware, both for the satellite and the TestPod they built themselves. The number and quality of lessons learned during this week is invaluable.
With all the experience gained by the team, the test campaign can be considered a success overall. Thanks to this “Fly Your Satellite! -Test Opportunities” experience, the students from the City University of Applied Sciences in Bremen have honed its ability to conduct top-notch test campaigns, from meticulous documentation to compliance with laboratory rules.
The results of this week further underline the hostility of the space environment and the need for qualified personnel in the European space landscape. By focusing on soft skills and hands-on experience, students will be well prepared to make a significant contribution to space exploration when they start their engineering careers. Overall, this in-depth experience will open doors to a promising future in the space sector.
To learn more about the programme, click here.