The University of Malta, in collaboration with Blu5 Labs Ltd, has announced a significant milestone in the ASTREA project, with its pioneering pico-satellite constellation prototypes nearing completion. The final designs are being manufactured and are expected back in a few weeks’ time to complete the final assembly steps in UM’s laboratories. This development marks a crucial phase as the project inches closer to the goal of delivering cost-effective satellite deployment technology.
The next phase of the project will see ASTREA pass the baton to another recently secured project – QUASAR – that will the ASTREA pico-satellites subjected to Qualification Testing. QUASAR recently secured €125,000 of funding from the Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST), through the Space Upstream Programme that was designed to help the fledging Maltese space industry prepare for participation in more demanding European Space Agency (ESA) activities in the near future. Recruitment for QUASAR was recently completed and will soon see Curtis Casha join experienced researchers Daniel Cumbo and Oliver Vassallo to prepare for the lengthy testing campaign.
“Qualification Testing will last several months, and will involve meticulous experiments that will push the pico-satellites and each of their sub-systems to their physical limits, while carefully documenting every anomaly and addressing any issues that crop up,” says Dr Ing. Marc Anthony Azzopardi, the principal investigator of both ASTREA and QUASAR. “This series of tests is designed to demonstrate that the pico-satellites can withstand the harsh conditions of the rocket launch as well as the ones in space, including extreme temperatures, vibration, vacuum, and radiation.”
The process will go on until the team collects sufficient data in order to validate the integrity of their designs and the validity of the multi-physics simulations that took place under ASTREA.
About the University of Malta
The University of Malta is the highest teaching institution in Malta. It is publicly funded and open to all those who have the requisite qualifications. The University's structures are in line with the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education area.
About Blu5 Labs Ltd
Blu5 Labs is an innovative technology company based in Malta that is committed to developing revolutionary solutions. The company has a rich history of successful collaborations with academic institutions and is renowned for its forward-thinking approach.
For further information, please contact Dr Ing. Marc Anthony Azzopardi (see link above).
ASTREA is financed by the Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST), through FUSION: The R&I technology Development Programme 2019.
QUASAR is also financed by the Malta Council for Science & Technology (MCST), through the FUSION R&I: Space Upstream Thematic Programme of 2023.
