Initial Results from the TechnoSat in-Orbit Demonstration Mission

Abstract

Until now, Technische Universität Berlin successfully developed, built and operated sixteen satellites ranging from several single unit CubeSats to a 56 kg Earth observation mission. The recently launched TechnoSat mission has the primary objective to demonstrate and test novel small satellite technologies and components in Low Earth Orbit. To this end, the 20 kg spacecraft carries seven payloads. One payload, for example, is the fluid-dynamic actuator developed by Technische Universität Berlin. This novel attitude actuator is based on momentum storage via a liquid metal that is accelerated using an electromagnetic pump. The secondary mission objective of TechnoSat is the in-orbit verification of the newly developed satellite platform TUBiX20 of Technische Universität Berlin. This platform bases on a modular systems design and provides scalability regarding selected performance parameters, which allows for tailoring of the platform towards individual mission requirements. TechnoSat was launched into a 600 km Sun-synchronous orbit on the 14th of July 2017. Since then, experiments are successfully conducted regularly with all payloads and the analysis of the collected data is in progress. This paper presents first orbit results of the TechnoSat mission focusing on selected technology demonstration payloads