1. THE QB50 PROJECT
A Constellation of CubeSats to investigate the Earth
Mid/Lower Thermosphere

2. About the von Karman Institute
Introduction
 founded in the 1956
 a NATO Training Center in Experimental Aerodynamics in support to NATO countries.
 a Non-profit, International Scientific Association, governed by a Board of Directors
The von Karman Institute is located
20km south of Brussels
2016 – Celebrating the 60th
Anniversary
Dr. Theodore von Karman (The
Founder) with US President J.F.
Kennedy
1/11

3. Introduction
What we Do
Providing Education through Research in Aerodynamics for students from NATO countries
 Higher Education provider (NVAO accredited Research Master)
 Tailored solutions and consultancy for industry in fluid mechanics and aerodynamics
 Hosting Lecture Series on cutting edge topics in fluid mechanics
2/11

4. The QB50 Project
von Karman Institute and The QB50 project
About QB50:
 An international project aiming at developing a constellation of 50 CubeSats to investigate the
Earth Mid/Lower Thermosphere
 VKI is project leader and coordinates the work of 15 partners across Europe/Russia/China/USA
 A project funded by the European Commission under the FP7 Framework
3/11

5. The QB50 Project
What is a CubeSat?
 A small satellite in the size of a shoebox
 Can perform reduced science or Earth
observation from space at a fraction of the
cost of a big satellite (>600Kg)
 Suitable for mass production and can be
deployed into space forming large
constellations
Space Weather Science Lunar and Martian Exploration
Earth Observation Space Communication
COMMON APPLICATIONS:
4/11

6. The QB50 Project
How Big is a CubeSat?
1 Kg
1 Unit Cubesat = 10cm cube weighs 1Kg
1 Unit
2 Units
3 Units
+ 1U
10cm
10cm
IT IS A STANDARD DEFINED BY THE
CALPOLY UNIVERSITY (USA):
CAN BE COMBINED IN DIFFERENT SIZES:
+ 1U
5/11

7. The QB50 Project
QB50 Mission Objectives
Scientific Research:
Investigating the Thermosphere
Contributing to Education of
Future Space Engineers
Facilitating Access to Space
A Platform for Demostrating
New Technologies in Orbit
6/11

8. The QB50 Project
Why an Investigation of the Earth Thermosphere is Important?
• Helps in predicting accurately the
lifetime and the orbit of the satellites
• Helps in planning the maneuvers for
orbit maintenance and collisions
avoidance of spacecrafts (The
International Space Station performs a
dozen of maneuvers a year)
• Helps in mitigating/assessing the impact
site of space objects (namely debris) re-
entering the atmosphere
7/11

9. QB50-ISS
 38 CubeSats
 Altitude 415km
 Inclination 51.6deg
 Main Science Campaign
 Launch in December 2016
QB50-PL
 8 CubeSats
 Altitude 500km
 Sun Synchronous Orbit
97.1deg
 Part of the Science Campaign
 Launch in May 2017
How do We Deploy a Constellation of CubeSats Into Space?
38 CUBESATS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION 8 CUBESATS WITH THE PSLV INDIAN ROCKET
The QB50 Project
8/11

10. The QB50 Project
How Does a CubeSat Look Like When it is Ready to Flight?
Copyright Aalto-2 Team Copyright LituanicaSAT-2 Team Copyright DUTHSat Team Copyright ZA-AEROSAT Team
9/11

11. The VKI CubeSat
The QARMAN Mission
 First Re-Entry CubeSat in the World (Made
in Belgium)
 In-Orbit Demonstration of Re-Entry
Technologies
 Scientific Investigation of Re-Entry
Aerodynamics Phenomena
Time in the Mission
Altitude
Demonstrate the feasibility of a CubeSat as a re-entry platform.
THE MISSION IN A NUTSHELL
10/11

12. The VKI CubeSat
How Complex is a Re-Entry CubeSat?
On-Board
Computer +
Batteries + Iridium
modem
Thermal
Protection Shield
Electric Power
System
Iridium Antenna
Pressure and
Temperature
Sensors
FROM THE INSIDE TESTING THE THERMAL PROTECTION SHIELD
To verify the isolation capability of a thermal
protection shield, the material must be exposed to a
hot plasma jet that can reach 10,000 degree Celsius.
Hotter than the Sun surface!
Attitude and
Determination
Control System
UHF Transceiver
11/11

13. THE QB50 PROJECT
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh
Framework Programme for research, technological development and
demonstration under grant agreement no [284427]