Who said that the new generation was less efficient? Certainly not those who ESA! When the opportunity to create a payload for the Ariane 6 flight presented itself, a group of 30 young people from ESA set out to design a payload that would imagine the separation of the fairing and deployment of the satellites from the spacecraft, as well as views of the return from orbit.
Working outside of school hours, the YPSat group, or Young Professionals Satellite, was formed with the aim of gaining a first real experience in space.
Far from being a small project, they are supported by
The Directorate for Technology, Engineering and Quality, which is in charge of the costs
ESA's Directorate of Operations covers the ground station needed to collect the data
Space Transportation Systems Directorate advises on the Ariane 6 launch campaign.
"Keep It Simple Stupid" may be but with the same constraints as any space mission, the aim is to work on each step in small groups and be really hands-on and not centralised on a business application.
5 engineering trades that
Structural and mechanical test the resistance
Thermal check that the structure resists thermal shocks
Electrical harness to ensure and maintain power through the components
Telecommunications with data transmission throughout the mission
Wake Up System to make it active at take-off
A real challenge that allows you to put into practice the skills you have learned in the classroom and to manage a mission from start to finish