CubeSat

The development of the 3U CubeSat by Team Aster is centered around the mission of carrying and supporting two experimental payloads that have the potential of revolutionizing radio-astronomy and satellite communication systems. The primary payload is an experimental antenna with a stowage size of less than 1U that deploys into a 6 m long radio-astronomy antenna once the CubeSat is in LEO. The primary payload is being developed in tandem with our 3U CubeSat at the Eindhoven University of Technology. The secondary payload is an optical ground-to-satellite communication system utilizing the modulating retro-reflector technology, currently under development by the European Space Agency. We strive to get accepted into the Fly Your Satellite* program by ESA in order to gain access to the invaluable expertise of ESA and to a satellite launch opportunity that is otherwise beyond our financial possibilities. The expected delivery date of our 3U CubeSat is late 2026, with a planned mission duration of ~2 years.