SunStorm

Platform: 2U CubeSat.

Payloads: miniaturized solar X-Ray Flux Monitor (XFM).

Programme: General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).

Consortia: Reaktor Space Lab (prime), ISAWARE, Aboa Space Research Oy, Oxford Instruments Technologies, Talvioja Consulting.

SUNSTORM is a 2U CubeSat that was launched in summer 2021 and successfully completed its 1 year planned in-orbit demonstration. The platform was further operated by the industrial consortium until it passively and safely re-entered Earth atmosphere in summer 2024. SunStorm mission was aimed at demonstrating in-space the X-ray Flux Monitor (XFM) payload, a novel type of X-ray detector based on silicone drift diode. The XFM heritage dates back to the XSM onboard SMART-1 and Chandrayaan-1, and the technological concept has been developed further by the same team for the SIXS instrument onboard BepiColombo. The demonstration could be achieved within a 2U CubeSat platform as the instrument fits within 0.8U volume, consumes less than 3W of power, and only requires coarse pointing at the Sun (<5 deg accuracy).

SUNSTORM successful demonstrated the XFM payload in-obit, while at the same time collecting and producing high-value scientific data, and is hence a perfect example of the scientific capabilities that CubeSat platforms can offer.

Launch: august 2021.

Status: re-entered in 2024, mission complete.