AlSat-1N

The AlSat-Nano mission was a joint endeavour by the UK and Algeria to build and operate a 3U CubeSat. The project was designed to provide training to Algerian students, making use of UK engineering and experience.

Overview

The CubeSat was designed and built by us and hosts three UK payloads with operations run by the Algerian Space Agency. These payloads were supplied by the UK CubeSat community and were selected through a competitive process, effectively performing a technology demonstration mission.

These payloads demonstrated novel technologies in mechanisms (deployable boom - Oxford Space System), imagery (compact CMOS camera demonstrator - Open University) and power generation (thin film solar cell - our Centre and Centre for Solar Energy Research).

The educational and CubeSat development were funded by the UK Space Agency (UKSA), whilst the UK payloads were self-funded. Launch and operations are funded by ASAL.

On 24 August 2016 the AlSat-1N spacecraft was packed up in its shipping crate for delivery to Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India for launch on PSLV-C35.

Publications

  • B Taylor, C. Massimiani, R. Duke, B. Stewart, S. Fellowes, C. P. Bridges, G. Aglietti, “The AlSat-1N CubeSat Mission”, 4th IAA Conference on University Satellite Missions and CubeSat Workshop, Rome 4-7 Dec 2017
  • B. Taylor, R. Duke, B. Stewart, C. Massimiani, F. Djamane, C P. Bridges, G Aglietti , A. Lassakeur, M. Amine Ouisb, M. Cherif Ladouze, K. Meftah, C Underwood, A. Chikouche, D. E. Baba Hamedi, “AlSat-Nano: Knowledge Transfer to Operational Partnership”  International Astronautical Congress, Adelaide, Australia 25-29 Sept 2017.
  • R. Duke, C. P. Bridges, B. Taylor, B. Stewart, C. Massimiani, S. Fellowes, G Aglietti “Assessing Nanosatellite Flight & Ground Software Framework to NASA & ESA Software Safety Standards”, International Astronautical Congress, Adelaide, Australia 25-29 Sept 2017.
  • Duke, R, Bridges, C, Stewart, B, Taylor, B, Massimiani, C, Forshaw, JL and Aglietti, G (2016) Integrated Flight & Ground Software Framework for Fast Mission Timelines In: 67th International Astronautical Congress, 2016-09-26 - 2016-09-30, Guadalajara, Mexico.