Running since
2025
Students
17
Rocket
REXUS 38 launching March 2027
Institution
Luleå University of Technology
Mission
MARA (Mission for Asteroid Resource Acquisition) is an asteroid mining experiment developed by students of Luleå University of Technology.
The project simulates the material acquisition of an asteroid while investigating the use of core drilling as a method for resource extraction in space-like environments.
MARA is a REXUS/BEXUS project set to fly on REXUS 38 in March 2027.
The experiment includes producing an autonomous drilling rig as well as a realistic asteroid simulant that can be drilled and extracted within the 120s time constraint of a REXUS sounding rocket mission.
By analysing drilling performance and heat transfer, MARA aims to provide insight into the scalability of future asteroid mining technologies.
3D Model
MARA 3D Model
The model shows the current design of the MARA experiment and highlights the major structural and scientific components.
- Moving Platform - travels along guide rails using a lead screw driven by a linear motor.
- Asteroid Simulant Holder (ASH) - detachable container that houses the asteroid simulant for late integration.
- Drill Assembly - drill and drill bit used to penetrate the simulant and capture a core sample.
- Sample Chamber - sealed housing around the ASH containing sensors and preventing dust from escaping.
REXUS/BEXUS Programme
MARA is a part of the REXUS/BEXUS programme. The REXUS/BEXUS programme is an initiative of the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).
The programme provides university students all over Europe with the opportunity to design and fly scientific or technological experiments on sounding rockets (REXUS) or stratospheric balloons (BEXUS). Each year, two rockets and two balloons are launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden and carries up to 20 student experiments.
The Team
MARA consists of 17 students from Luleå University of Technology, divided into 5 teams: Management, Electrical, Mechanical, Science and Software. The team is multidisciplinary, with backgrounds in engineering, physics and computer science. Together we represent a diverse and talented group of individuals dedicated to the success of the MARA project.
Management Team
.JPG)
Elias Simpson
Management Team - Project Manager
Pontus Staaf
Management Team - System Engineer
Electrical Team
Tor Sunnerdahl
Electrical Team - Head of Electrical
Julia Bjureus
Electrical Team
Alexander Holmberg
Electrical Team
Mechanical Team
.JPG)
Liam Rathsman
Mechanical Team - Head of Mechanical
.jpg)
Celia Ojéda Sanchez
Mechanical Team
Fabian Mozart
Mechanical Team
Science Team
Blue Bariagaber
Science team - Head of Science
Evelina Andersson
Science Team
.JPG)
Manne Sandberg
Science Team
Eliott Billaud
Science Team
Software Team
John Carlsson
Software team - Head of Software
Filip Sowa
Software Team
.JPG)
Imanol Gutiérrez Pinedo
Software Team
Aurora Åhs
Software Team
Clara Öberg
Software Team
Partners & Sponsors
MARA is made possible through the support of our partners and sponsors. We are grateful for their contributions and collaboration in making this project a reality.
Contact
For inquiries about the project or collaboration opportunities, please reach out to us through the following channels:
