Cubesat ROBUSTA

The National Center for Space Studies (CNES) initiated in early 2006, a call for ideas for student projects in the field of orbital systems. Three cases have been chosen, including the University of Montpellier II. The project aims to develop a nano-satellite named ROBUSTA (Radiation on Bipolar Test for University Satellite Application) boarding a scientific experiment. The satellite is defined Cubesat [1] : name given to a series of nano-satellites developed as part of student projects. Each satellite has a different mission, that of ROBUSTA is to check the deterioration in flight of electronic components based on bipolar transistors when exposed to space radiation environment. The results of this experiment will be used to validate a test method proposed in the laboratory.

Implementation of the project

The duration of the ROBUSTA project is 6 years (beginning of the project 2006, launc in 2009, end-of-life of the satellite in 2012). The CNES uses the term to describe phases of the evolution of life of a product, the expression of the specification until it is withdrawn from service of the product.

The project breaks down into seven phases:

* Stage 0: identification of needs / analysis mission
* Stage A: Feasibility
* Stage B: preliminary definition
* Stage C: detailed definition
* Stage D: Production / qualification ground
* Stage E: Use
* Stage F: withdrawal of service

The staff

ROBUSTA is a federative project, as it allows CNES and several teams from the University of Montpellier II to work together. These teams are spread over several sites:

* The mechanical design, is located at the IUT GMP of Nîmes;
* Energy management is in the IUT GEII of Nîmes;
* The ground segment and communication cards are supported by the IUP PGII Montpellier.
* The controller card is studied by Polytech Montpellier and IUT GEII Montpellier
* The card experience is in charge of the department of Montpellier II with the whole EEA

References

* [http://www.univ-montp2.fr/files_lien_minisite/861_lien.pdf]
* [http://www.wallonie-espace.be/docs/ClusterInfos34.pdf]
* [http://www.cubesat.auc.dk/]
* [Compte rendu phase 0, cubesat Robusta(article confidentiel)]
* [http://robusta.ies.univ-montp2.fr/ Site officiel de ROBUSTA]
* [http://www.univ-montp2.fr/ Site de l'Université de Montpellier II]
* [http://www.cnes.fr/ Site du CNES]