Ongoing Projects
ALMA
The main purpose of the Atmospheric Laser Measurement of Aerosols (ALMA) project is atmospheric research in the Norbotten area. We are looking into finding a correlation between density, size and composition of aerosols in the troposphere and stratosphere and the global volcanic activity, especially after the eruption of the volcano in La Palma. In this study, the anticipated results include higher concentrations of sulphur dioxide aerosols while the ozone levels in the atmospheric composition are reduced. This data will then be compared with previous databases from Sentinel 5p, OMI and OMPS missions in order to find the above-mentioned correlation and characterise our results. Project ALMA was encouraged by a natural event that cannot be predicted and which causes worldwide effects even after a longer period of time. As such we are looking into acquiring new skills and knowledge, while providing new information regarding environmental impacts after volcanic eruptions.
APTAS
APTAS – Atmospheric Polar Transmission Alignment Satellite – is the first student CubeSat developed at LTU. The goal is to design, build, test and operate a 1U CubeSat for scientific and educational purposes whilst paving the way for future generations of students who want to develop their own CubeSats! It has two payloads: ECAT and CAM. ECAT consists of an RF transmitter to be used for calibration of the planned EISCAT 3D research project, a new phased-array system located in northern Sweden, Norway and Finland. CAM is a camera operating in the visible range, aiming to image geophysical features such as glaciers for size measurements and change rates in addition to project outreach.
The project is currently in Phase D – Qualification, verification and production and has a preliminary launch in Q1 2022. The teams in the project is System Engineering, Software, Communications, Mechanical, Electronics, ADCS, Power, Science and Management.
ASTER
The goal of ASTER is to develop a fast, low-cost, and easy to integrate attitude control system for free falling experiments which have been ejected from sounding rockets. ASTER is currently being developed as part of the 13th Cycle of the German-Swedish student programme REXUS/BEXUS and is scheduled to fly on REXUS-30 launched from Esrange Space Center in March 2022.
The project successfully completed its IPR in August 2020, and is now busy integrating and testing their hardware, while looking forward to the Experiment Acceptance Review later on in the year. The proposed design uses three reaction wheels to quickly stabilise or rotate the experiment. The system is also designed to be easily adaptable in order to accommodate future experiments.
FASTER
The goal for project FASTER is to develop project @aster.rexus’s attitude-controlled FFU and adapt it to parabolic flights. Its purpose is to improve microgravity conditions for different payload experiments. The platform control system will use three reaction wheels and data from an accelerometer will be collected from inside the payload bay and the floor of the aircraft. These data will then be compared in order to verify the improvements made by the platform.
Right now, the team is working on the final steps for the first 3D printed model of the platform. They are aiming to perform two parabolic flight campaigns using a small aircraft in Kiruna during 2021 to test the platform.
HAMMER
HAMMER, High Applicability of Magnetic Motion Experimental Research, is a multinational fundamental research project conducted by students from Luleå University of Technology, LTU, Sweden. The aim of the project is to investigate the applicability of ferrofluids and other fluids, that are susceptible to electro-magnetic fields, in space applications. The project started in October of 2021 and consists of 18 highly motivated students from 7 different nations all over the globe.
The field of ferrofluids and their application in space is an area in which there is currently much exciting new ground being broken. HAMMER aims to contribute to this and develop into continuous projects for this field of study for LTU and their future research. This project aims to evolve from experiments around the manipulation of ferrofluids on the ground to conducting more on various different platforms, Such as microgravity capable drop towers, parabolic flights,
sounding rockets, free falling units etc. These are considered the most practical and informative methods to investigate the fluid behaviour in microgravity environments and space conditions.
RAVEN
RAVEN, Rocketry and Aerospace Vehicle Engineering in Norrbotten, is the first student rocket project at LTU. The project aims to design, build, test and launch a hybrid rocket that has the capability of reaching an altitude of 10 km with an accompanying payload of 10 kg. The project is also meant to create a foundation for future rocket projects at LTU.
The RAVEN team is divided into subgroups that are responsible for different aspects of the rocket: Aerodynamics & Trajectory, Avionics & OBDH, Propulsion, Recovery System and Structure & Materials. The team is designing the entire rocket from scratch, including the hybrid propulsion system
VOIDCUBE
The goal is to create a standardized template for a constellation of cubes. Each cube has its own specific function and attributes. The final product will be able to function as any type of terrestrial or space vehicle depending on the mission goal.
Creating cubes that are able to be rearranged makes available the option to reuse a satellite or a rover that finished its mission. In the case of a mission to another planet being able to reuse the same parts for a second different mission can be cost, time and space efficient.
