Ariane 6 debut includes Portugal's first university CubeSat for aircraft tracking

Ariane 6 debut includes Portugal's first university CubeSat for aircraft tracking
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Apr 17, 2024

Europe's next-generation rocket, Ariane 6, is set to embark on its inaugural flight, carrying a series of space missions each with their own distinct goals and enthusiastic teams supporting them. This launch will demonstrate the capability and adaptability of the new heavy-lift launcher, whether it's deploying satellites to observe Earth, exploring deep space, or testing key new technologies in orbit.

A critical component of safe and efficient aviation is knowing one's location and the positions of others. To aid in this, aircraft utilize Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B), which constantly transmits location data to air traffic control. However, large portions of the Earth, particularly oceans, lack ADS-B ground reception, creating significant blind spots.

Addressing this issue, the University of Lisbon's Instituto Superior Tecnico has developed a compact CubeSat, ISTSat, just 10 cm on a side. Weighing slightly over 1 kg and equipped with a flat, patch antenna, ISTSat is prepared to receive ADS-B signals from an altitude of 587 km. Set to launch aboard Ariane 6, this tiny satellite aims to track aircraft for a full year from space.

Beyond its technical objectives, ISTSat-1 serves an educational purpose, aiming to motivate Portuguese students with a complex space project. Students from various engineering disciplines at the university have collaborated on this project, gaining practical experience in designing, building, and managing space missions.

Part of ESA's education initiative 'Fly Your Satellite!', the project provides students a practical introduction to professional space program methodologies by allowing them to run their satellite project.

The effectiveness of ISTSat-1 will be measured by comparing the ADS-B data it collects with official flight records. Successful data matching will confirm the operational success of the student-built satellite on Ariane 6's first mission. This project also offers the students a chance to evaluate the performance of their homemade antenna, testing its range, reception angles, accuracy, and overall robustness.

"Having progressed through various developmental stages, we feel ready to make history with the launch of the first Portuguese university satellite aboard Europe's largest rocket, Ariane 6," stated Leticia Araujo from ISTSat-1. "This project, predominantly developed in Portugal, has offered us significant learning opportunities and challenges. We hope it inspires future generations to embark on their own space endeavors."