ROBUSTA

ROBUSTA (Radiation on Bipolar Test for University Satellite Application) is a nano-satellite scientific experiment developed by University of Montpellier II as part of a National Center for Space Studies (CNES) initiative to develop ideas for student projects in the field of orbital systems.

The satellite is defined as a Cubesat, the name given to a series of nano-satellites developed as part of student projects. The ROBUSTA mission is to check the deterioration of electronic components, based on bipolar transistors, when exposed to in-flight space radiation. The results of the 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 in 2006. The satellite was launched on February 13, 2012 with the first Vega, and the end-of-life is expected to be in 2015.

Quoting the official ROBUSTA website: "Faint signals were heard after launch on the 13th of february. A few days after launch no more signals were received: after investigation an anomaly was detected on the system of battery recharge. This anomaly will be corrected on the future satellite models."

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 managed by the department of Montpellier II with the whole EEA

References

• University of Montpellier (French)
• Wallonie Espace (French)
• Cubesat information
• Site officiel de ROBUSTA (English)
• Site de l'Université de Montpellier II (French)
• Site du CNES