MISSION KOSTKA
Další-
1U
Size of the satellite
-
1st
Student satellite in the Czech Republic
-
2023
Year of the mission establishment
-
2025
Year of the planned launch
What is KOSTKA?
KOSTKA is the primary mission of the newly established student team from Brno University of Technology (BUT) - YSpace. This mission aims to be the first Czech, solely student-designed, satellite launched into orbit. It will carry a payload developed in-house at the Institute of Aerospace Engineering (BUT) – the Miniaturized Heat Switch (MHS). Throughout the development process, we aim to establish a network between academia and the rapidly growing space industry in the Czech Republic, providing valuable opportunities and experiences for all parties involved.
What is the main goal?
The main objective of the KOSTKA mission is to test the operational functionality of the MHS in orbit. The primary function of the MHS is to effectively conduct heat out of the spacecraft without any active components. This capability will be cyclically tested throughout the satellite’s lifetime. Data will be stored on board and periodically transmitted to a ground station for processing and evaluation.
How does the Miniaturized Heat Switch work?
The MHS operates by heating up a dummy mass (which simulates the thermally controlled component) with an integrated heater. The heat is conducted to the hot interface of the MHS, causing a thermal expansion of paraffin. This expansion enables a connection with the cold interface, allowing heat to be conducted to a radiator, where it is dissipated into space via radiation.
Mission objective?
The KOSTKA mission represents the first step for YSpace, marking the beginning of its journey in space exploration and popularization of the field. Not only will it advance a project native to the school, but its development provides hands-on experience across various departments, from technical to administrative. It helps to lay a solid foundation for future, more complex missions, by building partnerships, securing sponsors, and gaining valuable lessons. The mission also acts as a steppingstone towards the more ambitious CIMER mission, with which the KOSTKA mission shares much of the developed components.
Responsibility: Bc. Jiřina Kapcárová