Three new satellites with 3D-printed satellite parts built by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have blasted off into orbit, which will be used to conduct orbital experiments such as testing 3D-printed parts in space, measuring atmospheric data, and evaluating new space materials.
The satellites – VELOX-AM, ARCADE and SCOOB-II – serve as demonstrations of NTU’s leading capabilities in satellite engineering and undergraduate space engineer training. Since 2011, NTU has successfully built, launched and operated 13 satellites, including these three launched on Sunday morning (30 July) by the Indian Space Research Organisation on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
The launch vehicle also carried a microsatellite from NTU spin-off Aliena, which will test a next-generation propulsion engine.
Both VELOX-AM and ARCADE are micro-satellites weighing 22kg and 27kg respectively, developed in collaboration with NTU’s partners. SCOOB-II is the second cube satellite designed and built by NTU students under the Student Satellite Series, which offers engineering undergraduates real-world learning opportunities on satellite design.
Professor Luke Ong, NTU Vice President (Research), said: “Progressing towards microsatellites in the 25kg range allows NTU to meet application and mission-specific requirements more effectively. The University’s satellite development programme involves leveraging the multi-disciplinary expertise of NTU faculty and researchers from various schools in contributing to the advancement of Singapore’s space industry. Additionally, NTU collaborates closely with local and international partners to introduce innovative technologies to further enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s space sector.”
Mr Ronald Tong, Acting Executive Director, Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), said: “The successful launch of NTU’s satellites marks another milestone in Singapore’s space journey, harnessing our strengths in science, engineering, manufacturing and undergraduate education. The launch reflects Singapore’s robust space research community and will contribute to various applications including the study of the Earth’s atmosphere. As Singapore’s national space office, OSTIn will continue to support the development of our space ecosystem, including the nurturing of more science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) talent.”
NTU and A*STAR to test 3D-printed parts in space onboard the VELOX-AM
The VELOX-AM (Additive Manufacturing) satellite is a collaborative endeavour with Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) aimed at testing, for the first time, how additive manufacturing, or 3D-printed parts, can be used effectively to produce complex satellite components.
The 50 cm x 30 cm x 50 cm satellite carries a 3D-printed main structure panel. NTU built the satellite body, while A*STAR’s Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) developed and 3D-printed structural parts that have undergone rigorous high shock requirement tests to simulate the forces of a satellite launch.
These 3D printed parts were produced with an end-to-end manufacturing process, ensuring the consistent performance of components to withstand extreme space environmental conditions. A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing analysed the mechanical performance to determine how the 3D printed parts will react to forces during launch and while in orbit.
Another 3D-printed experimental payload onboard the VELOX-AM is a functionally tested module which houses a phase-change material to allow better satellite thermal control. This material changes its form between liquid and solid states to absorb and release heat energy, aiding energy conservation.
Dr David Low, Chief Executive Officer at A*STAR’s ARTC, said: “Leveraging advancements in additive manufacturing, A*STAR has produced complex satellite components that meet the design, functionality and performance requirements that allow the VELOX-AM to withstand large forces during launch, and to maintain high performance while in orbit. This collaboration with NTU Singapore presents an exciting opportunity to study how 3D-printed parts can function in space. We look forward to more of such collaborations, to unlock the potential of advanced manufacturing capabilities in supporting Singapore’s space missions.”
The last experiment VELOX-AM is conducting in space revolves around shape-memory polymers, which are materials that can hold ‘memories’ of their previous shapes. These materials can be deformed, such as by twisting or folding, and can return to their original shape by applying heat to them.
This technique holds promise for applications on solar panels and antennas. For instance, solar panels can be folded very compactly to be brought up onto a space station, where they can be heated to unfold back to their original, larger size.
Studying the atmosphere with ARCADE (Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer)
The ARCADE (Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer) satellite aims to measure data for atmospheric coupling studies.
The 32 cm x 32 cm x 32 cm satellite is an international collaboration with partners from Germany, India, Taiwan and the United States. It is the fourth satellite in the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE) series, an international consortium of spacefaring universities.
The satellite carries four instruments: an imager for atmospheric gravity waves; a plasma probe for measuring ionospheric plasma density and velocity; an atomic oxygen instrument to study atomic oxygen degradation of materials at low Earth orbit; and an optical imager for Earth imaging.
Also onboard the satellite are newly developed flexible perovskite solar cells, which will be used in experiments to test their performance in Low Earth Orbit for potential applications in curved, rollable solar panels.
In conjunction with its electric propulsion thruster, the satellite can deorbit into a region of space that has been very rarely explored. This ambitious mission aims to perform experiments and meet scientific objectives at a fraction of the cost of larger missions usually performed by bigger satellites that are usually above 400kg, or almost twenty times heavier.
SCOOB-II – training of future space engineers
SCOOB-II is the second satellite built under NTU’s Student Satellite Series which aims to provide real-world satellite learning opportunities for engineering undergraduates. The first satellite, SCOOB-I, was launched in July 2022, where it successfully demonstrated space technologies developed by students at NTU’s Satellite Research Centre (SaRC) such as sensors to observe the Sun.
Also developed at SaRC, the 4.1kg shoebox-sized SCOOB-II satellite carries a payload which demonstrates advanced electronics test operations in space. Measuring 34cm x 10cm x 10 cm, SCOOB-II, as a continuation to SCOOB-I, has an additional two deployable solar panels that will help to generate about three times the power generated from SCOOB-I, allowing it to carry a more power-demanding payload.
SCOOB-II also carries an improved attitude determination control system that helps the spacecraft point at the sun to absorb maximum solar energy to charge its onboard battery.
NTU final-year PhD student Saleem Amitha has worked on both SCOOB-I and SCOOB-II since 2019. The experience led her to gain extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise in various aspects of satellite design, development, and testing, together with an in-depth understanding of different satellite systems.
Ms Amitha said: “I feel an incredible sense of pride and excitement knowing that my work will soon be in space. The opportunity to see the culmination of my efforts and expertise manifested in a tangible form, orbiting the Earth, is truly awe-inspiring. Throughout my journey, I encountered various challenges and problem-solving opportunities, which have further strengthened my skills in troubleshooting, adapting to unforeseen circumstances, and collaborating effectively within a team of experts.”
NTU spin-off Aliena’s new satellite to test all-electric propulsion engine
On top of the three NTU satellites, a microsatellite carrying a cutting-edge propulsion engine from NTU spin-off Aliena was also successfully launched on Sunday morning.
The ORB-12 STRIDER will be used to demonstrate next-generation propulsion systems through the world’s first multi-modal all-electric propulsion engine.
This engine comprises Aliena’s flagship multi-stage-ignition compact (MUSIC) Hall thruster, the first of its kind to be developed locally in Singapore. The thruster uses an electric field to accelerate ions from the propellant, allowing the engine to consume a fraction of power compared to traditional engines in manoeuvring the satellite in space.
Aliena chief executive officer and co-founder Dr Mark Lim said: “It is with great pride that we see the ORB-12 STRIDER manifested alongside satellites from our co-founders’ alma mater, NTU Singapore. This launch will provide space legacy to our systems to drive further commercial traction, and gather orbital data that will be beneficial as we gear up for our flight on an NTU mission at Very Low Earth Orbit.”
The ORB-12 STRIDER satellite was developed under an international collaboration coordinated by Singapore-based Aliena, including Orbital Astronautics (United Kingdom) as bus providers and Aurora Propulsion Technologies (Finland) as subsystem co-developers.
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