Aalto-1 – Student Satellite
Aalto-1 is a student satellite project, the first in Finland. The project was started in early 2010, with a group of students making a feasibility study of the satellite in the framework of the University’s Space Technology special assignment course. Since then the project has created significant excitement among students and teachers alike. New teaching methods have been applied and a significant interdisciplinary co-operation network inside Aalto University has been created.
The satellite project is coordinated by Department of Radio Science and Engineering and supported by Space Technology teaching. The project team has now members from many Departments and Schools of Aalto University, from other Finnish universities and space industry, including Department of Physics of University of Helsinki, Department of Physics and Astronomy of University of Turku, VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Space Systems Finland Ltd. and other Finnish companies.
Aalto-1 is a 4 kg CubeSat type nanosatellite, carrying three cutting-edge technology scientific payloads, developed specially for nanosatellites.
Figure 1. Computer generated image of Aalto-1 satellite and some of its subsystems. From left to right: spectrometer unit, attitude determination and control unit with star tracker, satellite body with attached solar panels, and electrical power system and battery unit.
The main payload of the satellite is a smallest spectral imager developed so far for space applications, developed and manufactured for Aalto-1 satellite by VTT Technical Research Center of Finland. The Aalto-1 mission will demonstrate the feasibility of the Fabry-Perot imaging spectrometer technology for environment monitoring from space.
The second payload is a deorbiting device, called Electrostatic Plasma Brake, designed and manufactured by Finnish Meteorological Institute. It is based on a Finnish invention: Electrostatic solar sail. The invention aims to bring a solution to the interplanetary propulsion and low earth orbit space junk problem. The Aalto-1 is the first platform where E-sail will be tested as a deorbiting device.
The third payload is radiation monitor RADMON, designed and manufactured by students of University of Helsinki and University of Turku. The Radiation Monitor is designed to meet demands for miniaturization of modern space instruments. The instrument uses a novel readout concept which allows building a very small sensor. The Aalto-1 will demonstrate the feasibility of this technology for space use.
Figure 2. Students working on the satellite.
Figure 3. Artist’s view of Aalto-1 satellite.
Cooperation: VTT, FMI, University of Helsinki, University of Turku, Fastrax Ltd, Space Systems Finland Ltd.
Recent publications:
- J. Praks, A. Kestilä, M. Hallikainen, H. Saari, J. Antila, P. Janhunen, R. Vainio, ”Aalto-1 – an experimental nanosatellite for hyperspectral remote sensing”, Proc. 2011 IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS’11), p. 4367 - 4370, Vancouver, Canada, 25-29 July 2011.
- J. Praks, A. Kestilä, M. Komu, Z. Saleem, J. Jussila, A. Hakkarainen, A. Näsilä, M. Lankinen, K. Amzil, M. Hallikainen, ”Aalto-1: multi-payload, remote sensing nanosatellite mission”, 1st IAA Conference on University Satellites Missions and CubeSat Workshop In Europe, 24-28 January, Rome, Italy, 2011.
- Näsilä, A. Hakkarainen, A. Kestilä, K. Nordling, R. Modrzewski, J. Praks, M. Hallikainen, H. Saari, J. Antila, R.Mannila, P. Janhunen, R. Vainio, ”Aalto-1 – a hyperspectral earth observing nanosatellite”, Proceedings of SPIE 8176, 81760C (2011), SPIE Remote Sensing: Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XV, Prague, Czech Republic, 19 - 22 September 2011.
- Kestilä, A. Näsilä, R. Modrzewski, M. Komu, A. Yanes, T. Nikkanen, A. Hakkarainen, T. Tikka, J. Praks, M. Hallikainen, H. Saari, J. Antila, R. Vainio and P. Janhunen, "Aalto-1, a Finnish hyperspectral remote-sensing nanosatellite: Current progress", in proceedings of 4th European CubeSat Symposium, pp. 46, Ecole Royale Militaire, Brussels, 30 January – 1 February, 2012.