Past Projects

During the project three objectives were pursued:(i) Verification of miniaturized reaction wheels in the space environment, (ii) Test of a novel satellite bus system, and (iii) Power scope improvement of pico- and nanosatellites

The aim of the "iBOSS" project was to investigate possible concepts for the implementation of a modular, reconfigurable and thus maintenance-friendly satellite system.

Radiofrequency spectrum for satellite operation is a scarce resource. Along with the increasing number of launched and upcoming small satellites, the potential of harmful interference rises. In particular in UHF bands, small satellites are launched and operated at very low costs and therefore higher repetition rate than traditional systems. This evolvement puts pressure on existing allocations for amateur-satellite and space operation services. For this reason, a payload is introduced to measure the spectrum use in orbit and to assist in the identification of potentially free frequency allocations to ease the current coordination environment.

The project 'Multi-functional integration of miniaturized satellite components for increased payload capacity of pico-satellites' deals with the research and development of satellite components for CubeSats. Combining satellite components to form compact modules shall increase the possible payload capacities of pico-satellites.

The aim of the S-Net mission is to research and demonstrate inter-satellite communication technology in a distributed and autonomous nanosatellite network. As space-based systems have become an essential element in addressing global challenges such as climate change, disaster management and monitoring of maritime systems, there is a great demand for fast-response and low-cost systems.

The “DECAN – Deutsche CanSat-Höhenrakete”-Project within the DLR STERN framework allows aerospace engineering students at the TU Berlin to develop, manufacture, test, and launch a two-stage sounding rocket. The project offers hands-on education in the field of propulsion and launch system development and aids in training future aerospace engineers in Germany. Hence all key development steps, ranging from initial design to manufacturing and testing, are performed by students under professional supervision.

Within the InnoPump project a new approach to liquid small satellite propulsion systems was investigated. Those engines are used for different tasks including attitude control, de-orbit at the end of life or for landing exploration probes on the moon.

The Project SEAR (Small Exploration Assistant Rover) is about the development of an autonomous planetary rover with the same name, which could be used in an extraterrestrial mission scenario. The project was initiated in April 2013 when the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced the “SpaceBot Cup 2013”. In this robotic competition, participants were to fulfill a wide range of tasks on a Mars-like surface.

The TechnoSat project aimed to design, build and launch a nanosatellite with the primary mission objective of demonstrating and verifying newly designed components and subsystems for nanosatellites. The secondary mission objective was the design and operation of the adaptive and reusable nanosatellite platform TUBiX20. The adaptivity implies in this case that the platform can be adjusted to different payloads, orbits and mission scenarios. TechnoSat itself has a mass of approximately 20 kg and measures about 305 x 465 x 465 mm without antennas.