CubeSat LAB - From Hamburg to Space

The space sector is expanding rapidly and requires a new generation of students to recognise space as a distinct engineering discipline, rather than perceiving it as ‘rocket science’. Hamburg is known for its aviation and maritime industries, which is reflected in the education at the Hamburg University of Technology. Enabling interdisciplinary space education and especially fostering self-learning in electronics and computer science topics at the TU Hamburg is the goal of the EduSat Project of the Smart Sensors Group. This is achieved by a combination of lectures, Project-based learning and the CubeSat LAB, the latter providing students with the opportunity to build their own payload, work on a provided cubesat and expose students to the space sector. The CubeSat LAB is unique in its focus on the electronics of a cubesat, caused by a lack of pre-existing space engineering curricula at our university. This lack of theoretical space engineering knowledge is one of the challenges the LAB, and its students, faces. Further this means students have to transfer and apply their theoretical knowledge to the space domain. The goal of the LAB is to offer physical and intellectual space for students from various backgrounds and study levels to work together interdisciplinarily and get in contact with the space sector and its engineering challenges, beyond their curriculum. Furthermore, working in different subteams, communicating with each other, and solving challenges in a bigger team prepares the students for their future career. While the CubeSat LAB is part of the Smart Sensors Group, it is governed by students, whereas tutors are supervising the team and providing the interface to the group. The current student mission aims to autonomously capture the northern lights, with the help of a variety of sensors. The team is close to the end of the concept phase, working to expand participation and has founded an association to support their efforts. Further the students are participating in the REXUS program, with a LiFi-based experiment. This paper presents the structure, challenges, and first outcomes of the CubeSat LAB, presenting its role in space education at the TU Hamburg and promoting interdisciplinary engagement with the space sector.

Subjects

Educational Satellite

CubeSat

Northern Lights

DDC Class

620: Engineering

Funding(s)

Kleinsatellit als Chance für Fach-, Semesterübergreifenden und interdisziplinären Lehre

Options

CubeSat LAB - From Hamburg to Space