EIRSAT-1

The Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 or EIRSAT-1[2] is an Irish space project under development by University College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast[3][4]. The project aims to build, launch and operate the first Irish satellite in space.[5][6] The project aims to build, launch and operate the first Irish satellite in space.[5].[7][8][9][10] The project aims to build, launch and operate the first Irish satellite in space.[2][7][8][9][10]

Educational Irish Research Satellite 1 (EIRSAT-1)
EIRSAT-1 logo
Mission type2U CubeSat
Websitehttps://www.eirsat1.ie
Mission duration12 months (planned)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerESA Fly Your Satellite!
University College Dublin
Queen's University Belfast
Dimensions22 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm[1]
Start of mission
Launch date2021 (planned)[1]
 

Industry partners included SensL Ltd, ENBIO Ltd, MOOG Dublin, Resonate Testing Ltd, and Parameter Space Ltd.

The satellite project was given approval by the European Space Agency (ESA) in May 2017 as part of the Fly Your Satellite! (FYS) program. Among the Irish-based companies providing help are ENBIO and SensL.[8][9][10]

Aims

The mission of EIRSAT-1 is to advance education in space science and engineering across the whole island of Ireland through collaboration between student teams, higher education institutions and high-tech companies.

The objectives of EIRSAT-1 are to:[1][11]

  • develop the know-how of the Irish higher education sector in space science and engineering, by supporting student teams to build, test and operate the satellite;
  • address skills shortages in the space sector by fostering collaboration between student teams and industry through the launch of three payloads that will demonstrate innovative Irish technology;
  • inspire the next generation of students towards the study of STEM subjects by launching the very first Irish satellite.

Payloads

EIRSAT-1 will carry three Irish developed experiments, or payloads.[2][7]

GMOD - The Gamma-ray Module

The first payload element (called the ‘Gamma-ray Module’ or ‘GMOD’) is a miniaturised sensor for use in the detection of gamma-rays from both cosmic and atmospheric phenomena.[12] The sensor is called a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and has been developed by SensL Ltd. in Co. Cork (currently part of ON Semiconductor). The SiPM has the potential to revolutionise in-situ and remote sensing of gamma-rays in space by removing the need for conventional photomultiplier tubes that are typically very bulky, fragile and require high voltages to operate.[2]

EMOD - the ENBIO Module

The second payload element (called the ‘ENBIO Module’ or ‘EMOD’)[12] will provide in-orbit demonstration of novel protective oxide surface treatments made by ENBIO Ltd. (SolarWhite and SolarBlack).[1][2] These surface treatments have been developed for use on the ESA Solar Orbiter mission, and EIRSAT-1 will provide the opportunity for these coatings to be thermally tested. The temperature of the coatings will be measured throughout the mission.[2]

WBC - Wave Based Control

The third payload, recently added, is a novel attitude control system developed by the Dynamics and Control Group in the UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. A spacecraft's “attitude” is its orientation in space. In this case it will use the Earth's magnetic field to turn itself in any desired direction.[1] The UCD control technique is called “Wave-Based Control” (WBC).[12] EIRSAT-1 will use a standard control system initially. At some time into the mission, in response to an instruction from Earth, the on-board computer will start using WBC to control the satellite's attitude, thereby evaluating its performance and, it is hoped, qualifying WBC for space flight.[2]

Launch and operations

Subject to successful reviews, the spacecraft will be delivered to ESA in the first half of 2021.[1] ESA intend to deploy it from the International Space Station thereafter. It aims to orbit the Earth for up to 12 months.[11]

Budget

The satellite will cost €1,500,000, which is funded jointly by the ESA, the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland.[11]

Public presentations

Prof. Lorraine Hanlon, EIRSAT-1 Project Leader, introduced the project during a panel after the Irish premiere of the film "16 Levers de Soleil" on 31 January 2019.[13]

gollark: You can view old revisions of pages, and no because the code is too awful (and unfinished) to share.
gollark: μhahaha minoteaur feature.
gollark: LyricLy, go move with constant velocity on a uniform smooth horizontal plane!
gollark: Heavserver invites incorporate a """worm""", specifically a nematode since they're easy to simulate.
gollark: Basically, none are safe, yes.

References
  1. "Testing for Ireland's first satellite". ESA. 2020-06-10. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  2. "eirsat1". eirsat1. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  3. Rogan, Aaron (24 May 2017). "Countdown begins for launch of first satellite" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  4. "First Irish satellite to be launched". 25 May 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  5. "European Space Agency gives go-ahead for Ireland's first satellite". Thejournal.ie. 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  6. "eirsat1". eirsat1. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  7. Goodbody, Will (2018-09-24). "Ireland's first satellite moves step closer to launch". RTE.ie. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  8. "Ireland's First Ever Satellite Moves One Step Closer to Launch into Space". University College Dublin. 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  9. Gorey, Colm (2018-09-24). "Ireland's first satellite one step closer to space after passing major milestone". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  10. Gleeson, Colin (2018-09-24). "Go boldly: Students build prototype for first Irish satellite". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2018-09-24.
  11. Kearns, David (2018-09-25). "Countdown to lift-off for UCD scientists making Ireland's first satellite". University College Dublin. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
  12. "EIRSAT-1 experiments | EIRSAT-1". EIRSAT-1 | Ireland's first satellite. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  13. "The Night of Ideas in Dublin". Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. 2019-02-12. Retrieved 2020-06-14.
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