Belgian institute coordinates European space mission
36 mini-satellites have been launched into orbit around the Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). They will study the atmosphere and the thermosphere. The Belgian Von Karman Institute (VKI) is coordinating this European project which has been given the title QB50.
The QB50 project brings together 50 universities and research centres from across the world, and receives financial support to the tune of €9 million from the European Union. The mini-satellites, called CubeSats because of their shape, are only 10cm high, wide and long, and weigh no more than 1.33kg. As such, they are a lot less expensive than conventional satellites. Another advantage is that two or three of them can be linked together.
The 36 satellites will carry out simultaneous measurements of the composition of the uppermost layer of the atmosphere, and the middle layer of the thermosphere. This is situated at an altitude between 200 and 400 kilometres and is not well known. Understanding the composition of this part of the thermosphere is very important in order to determine the correct return trajectory of a spacecraft in the atmosphere.
The Von Karman Institute in Rhode St. Genèse is coordinating the QB50 project. This non-profit education and research institution in the field of aircraft aerodynamics and fluid mechanics was established in 1957. A number of countries from Western Europe, Central Europe and North America participate in the institute.