Innocube

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Acronym: InnoCubE

Project Name: InnoCubE - Innovative CubeSat for Education

Sub-projects:

WallE-2-Space (IRAS)
Skith-2-Space (ILR-Wue)

Project Description including at least 2 graphic/video:

The aim of the project is the design, construction and launch of a 3U-Cubesat for a practical, sustainable education of students, important technical and scientific publications, the enhancement of university competences, as well as the technology demonstration of two innovative technologies, which have been funded by the InnoSpace Masters program: Skith and Wall#E. InnoCubE is expected to be successfully launched into orbit and achieve a lifetime of at least 1 year.

Figure 1 Artist view InnoCubE in Orbit

Figure 2: Technology demonstrations concept

The project combines the expertise of two universities and is being carried out jointly by the chair of "Information Technology for Aerospace" at the University of Würzburg and the Institute of Space Systems at the Technical University of Braunschweig. Thus, more students will be reached who benefit from a practice-oriented education, for example in the form of internships as well as bachelor and master theses. Two highly innovative technologies are at the heart of the satellite construction: Skith and Wall#E, which emerged as winners of the INNOspace Masters competitions of DLR in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Their development was supported in separate projects with funds from the German Federal Ministry of Economics.

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) Structure Battery

Wall#E was developed in Braunschweig at the Institute of Space Systems. It is a special fiber CFRP structure that can store electrical energy and, at the same time, can be used as the supporting structure of the satellite. This type of battery allows a significant mass and volume reduction of a satellite while maintaining the same performance. Within the framework of InnoCubE, Wall#'s previous research results will be exploited and transferred into a payload system for a satellite in order to evaluate and test the technology. Special attention must be paid to the use in space environment and the processes from Wall#E shall be adapted. Different versions of the structural battery are integrated while predefined consumers and sensors allow a characterization and comparison of the technology (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Overview WallE-2-Space Concept

The wireless satellite infrastructure Skith (Skip the harness) comes from Würzburg. It makes the internal data cabling of the satellite components obsolete by enabling data transmission with ultra-broadband radio. Due to the low signal strength of the radio modules, the highly sensitive instruments on board the satellite are not disturbed. Furthermore, the mass, complexity and integration effort of the satellite will be reduced. In addition, it will be possible, for example, to easily replace individual satellite components even shortly before the rocket launch.

Figure 4: Possible Bus with SKITH modules (credit: ILR_Wue)

Additional payload EPISODE

EPISODE is an additional independent payload being developed at the Institute of Space Systems (IRAS) with the support of the Institute of Flight Guidance (IFF) of TU Braunschweig. It consists of a GNSS solution and a miniaturized laser retro-reflector. EPISODE is designed to support the Space Debris research at IRAS. In addition, it enables the provision of precise position data from the InnoCubE, which contributes to a safe space environment by allowing collision warnings to be more accurately evaluated and assessed.

The goal of EPISODE is to test commercially available hardware for a software-based GNSS receiver. These results could then be used in a follow-up mission to put a GNSS receiver laboratory into orbit and to verify newly developed receiver algorithms for satellites in a real environment.

Orbit test planned for 2023

The small satellite InnoCubE, in which Skith and Wall#E are integrated for the first time, is expected to be launched into orbit in 2023. Extensive testing and evaluation of the satellite and its technologies is planned for one year. The satellite will orbit the earth in an as yet undetermined orbit at an altitude of 350 to 600 kilometres. It weighs about four kilograms and measures 34 × 10 × 10 centimeters.

The findings from the orbit tests are to be incorporated into both terrestrial and space-related technologies. It is conceivable, for example, that the combination of Skith and Wall#E will enable the construction of aircraft with fewer cables and energy-storing outer walls. This would save weight and could possibly open the door to electric flying.

Project Term:

01.04.2020 – 31.03.2024

Partner:

The project is carried out in cooperation with the following partners:

- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Space Systems (IRAS), DE

- University of Würzburg, Chair "Information Technology for Aerospace" (ILR-Wue), DE

Thanks to our sponsor Valispace, the task of organizing the teams of two Universities was rendered substantially simpler.