Student Space Exploration & Technology Initiative
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The Student Space Exploration & Technology Initiative (SSETI) is a unique project put into execution by students from different universities spread over European countries. In collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) they aim to build microsatellites together. The idea originates from the Office for Outreach Activities of the ESA.
The Office for Educational Project Outreach Activities of the European Space Agency (ESA) has as its main objectives to motivate a significant number of young Europeans to learn more about science and technology in general and in space in particular and to create a talented space workforce for the 21st century. So it was one of its activities to propose a new initiative called the Student Space Exploration & Technology Initiative (SSETI). The main objective of this initiative is to create a network of students, educational institutions and organisations (on the Internet) facilitating the distributed design, construction and launch of (micro)-satellites and other spacecraft.
Most universities do not have capabilities to build their own complete satellite. The SSETI aims to combine different academic capabilities to realise pan-European student missions. Space projects, which are beyond the local existing capabilities, will be made possible through the fragmentation and redistribution of a large number of small, locally achievable tasks. Ambitious projects, such as a Moonlander, may be realised by this distributed development. A phased approach is chosen, starting with Earth orbiting satellites, leading to a final Moon landing or beyond.
SSETI have 4 satellite missions planned.
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[edit] SSETI Express
The SSETI Express microsatellite was successfully launched on October 27, 2005 from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome.
[edit] ESEO
The ESEO (European Student Earth Orbiter ) is currently on the way of moving from Phase B (Detailed design) to Phase C (Development), meaning that the teams working on the satellite are now starting to build and test parts of the systems. The launch is planned for late 2008.
Technical Facts:
| Dimensions | 600 x 600 x 710 mm |
| Mass | 120 kg |
| Expected lifetime | Minimum 1 Month, extended until end of lifetime |
| Attitude determination system | Sun sensors, horizon sensors, magnetometers and a star tracker |
| Attitude control system | Momentum wheel, cold gas attitude thrusters and a vector thrust control main thruster |
| Orbit control system | Cold gas |
| Power | Deployable sun-tracking solar-cell panels |
| Batteries | Li Ion 300 Wh |
| Propulsion | 18 l 300 bar Nitrogen cold gas |
| Power bus | 15-25 V unregulated |
| Thermal control | active |
[edit] ESMO
The ESMO (European Student Moon Orbiter ) is currently officially starting a feasibility study (phase A). If it is found feasible (Go - No Go in summer 2007), a possible launch would be planned for 2011.
[edit] ESMR
The ESMR (European Student Moon Rover) could be a future mission with an ambition to land a rover on the Moon. ESMR is not an official SSETI Mission at present, and no decision on it has been made as of yet.
[edit] Teams
The list of teams involved can be found on the front page of http://www.sseti.net
[edit] Countries Involved
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