The UPM will launch its third satellite in space in the second quarter of 2025
Like its previous two satellites, a team of UPM researchers and students develops the UPMSat-3 at the “Ignacio Da Riva” University Institute of Microgravity.
27.01.2025
UPMSat-3 is led by researchers from the “Ignacio Da Riva” University Institute of Microgravity of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (IDR/UPM). Once again, as its predecessors (UPMSat-1 and UPMSat-2), this complete space project ranges from the design to the operation in orbit of a university satellite, through its construction, qualification and its launch into space.
Due to its size, it is a microsatellite with a maximum mass of 22 kg and dimensions of 0.25x0.25x0.3m, with a multi-tray modular structure, configured as a technology demonstration platform for low cost and an educational tool for the training of UPM students involved in the project, mostly enrolled in the Master's Degree in Space Systems (MUSE), whose academic program is based on learning and research, and the development of satellites as its greatest exponent. “We consider that these types of tools are essential to provide students real experiences in the aerospace sector and contributes significantly to increase their motivation and skills for the future performance of their profession as aerospace engineers,” the IDR points out.
Financing and launch
The development of the UPMSat-3 microsatellite is financed mainly through other internal IDR/UPM projects, together with the support of the ETSIAE and the UPM. Likewise, it receives funds from the Community of Madrid (CAM) through the OAPES project (Advanced Operation of Small Satellites), included in the call for the Sinergic R&D program, which promotes on one hand the development of disruptive research projects, in the frontier of knowledge, and on the other, by entering into an agreement with the UPM which promotes the development of disruptive research projects to support the development of the mission, recently approved by the Governing Council of the CAM. Finally, private companies in the aerospace sector are also collaborating in the UPMSat-3 achievement.
Regarding the cost of launching the satellite into space, once its construction is completed and qualified as suitable for flight, this will be covered thanks to the Microlauncher Payload Competition.
IDR Managers explain that “the main barrier for any university space mission is the launch, due to its high cost, which is close to one million euros. Therefore, having been selected in this competition promoted by the German DLR and the European Space Agency to obtain a free launch opportunity, will allow us to complete the UPMSat-3 project.”
The launch will take place in the second quarter of this year according to testing deadlines, from the Andoya Space launch base in Norway, in the Spectrum vehicle of the German company ISAR Aerospace.
Spectrum, manufactured in Europe, is a new two-stage launcher, with capacity to set loads of up to 1,000 kilograms into orbit, which expands the limited supply of existing European launchers (so far there were only Ariane 5 and Vega).
The useful life of UPMSat-3 is expected to be two years in an orbit at 500 kilometers altitude.
UPMSat-3 presentation ceremony
On February 7th, the UPMSat-3 project will be officially presented at School of Aeronautical and Space Engineering (ETSIAE). This event, organized by the IDR/UPM, will bring together researchers and students from the UPM with representatives of companies and government authorities of the Community of Madrid.
Experience is a degree
This is the third satellite that UPM designs, builds and launches into space. The first of its space projects was UPMSat-1, launched into space in 1995, whose operational life in orbit was 213 days. Then, after a decade the IDR/UPM embarked again on the development of another satellite. UPMSat-2, which continues to operate and has been in orbit for over 4 years. It was sent into space in September 2020 from French Guiana after overcoming numerous problems due to the global pandemic Covid19 that surprised IDR researchers in the midst of a campaign to prepare its launch.
And just 5 years after that last successful launch, UPMSat-3 is a reality. “With this new project we return to space and demonstrate once again the capabilities of the UPM in the field of aerospace technology,” underscore the IDR/UPM.