Meet the BEXUS team: RATATOSK

"If it was easy, it wouldn't be fun". RATATOSK Team

Project RATATOSK is a student-led mission that explores how advanced communication and imaging technologies perform in the harsh, near-space conditions of the stratosphere. The main objective is to test an X-band communication system’s ability to reliably transmit data in real-time from high altitudes – a crucial capability for future aerospace missions that depend on fast and stable data links. As a secondary goal, the project evaluates the potential of thermal imaging for environmental monitoring, such as detecting wildlife. By exposing a thermal camera to the extreme cold and low pressure of the upper atmosphere, we can assess its performance and imaging accuracy in a space-analog environment.

Furthermore, the project will tap into optimization of data transmission in the X-band frequency range. As part of this is the team both designing their own antennas and ground station, which will be deployed at the launch site.

The experiment is carried onboard a stratospheric balloon, where the X-band communication system and thermal camera are mounted in a carefully engineered payload. As the balloon ascends to approximately 30 km altitude, the systems are exposed to conditions similar to those found in space. Throughout the flight, the payload transmits telemetry and data via the X-band system, while the thermal camera captures imagery of the Earth below. The data is monitored in real-time and later analyzed to evaluate signal quality, transmission stability, and thermal image fidelity.

We are a dedicated group of 19 engineering students from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and Aarhus University (AU), united by a shared passion for space technology and hands-on innovation. Our team spans multiple academic levels — from PhD students to those finishing their bachelor’s degrees or just beginning their master’s. Together, we combine diverse skills and fresh perspectives to drive the RATATOSK mission forward.

After the project is completed, the team plans to continue developing the design and exploring practical applications of the X-band technology — with the goal of using it as a springboard for future projects.

RATATOSK experiment in a nutshell