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MELISSA-II is the advanced magnetic field sensor developed by the team of the University of Cadiz
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UCAnFly moves to satellite production

04/09/2023 1097 views 25 likes
ESA / Education / CubeSats - Fly Your Satellite!

UCAnFly, an innovative CubeSat project from the University of Cadiz, Spain, is marking significant strides towards its own production and launch.  Part of the third edition of Fly Your Satellite!, an ESA Education program, UCAnFly is one-unit (1U, 10x10x10cm) CubeSat, with a mission to allow in-orbit validation of a magnetic measurement subsystem, MELISA-II, based on chip-scale magnetoresistive sensors with dedicated low-frequency noise reduction techniques. 

UCAnFly team testing their payload in the CSF shaker
UCAnFly team testing their payload in the CSF shaker

The team was able to make noteworthy progresses in the past months, such as passing the Delta Critical Design Review, an important milestone that attests to the satellite's robust design and engineering. The project has also undertaken the manufacturing and testing of the Qualification Model (QM), and in February 2023, the payload qualification model of UCAnFly has successfully passed the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) test campaign in ESTEC (Netherland), verifying that EMC radiated emissions and susceptibility of the payload are compatible with the requirements of the UCAnFly platform. Subsequently, in May 2023 at the CubeSat Support Facility in ESEC (Belgium), the payload environmental qualification has been completed, showcasing UCAnFly readiness to endure the extreme environment of space. 

The UCAnFly team prepares to host the satellite components at their lab in the University of Cadiz
The UCAnFly team prepares to host the satellite components at their lab in the University of Cadiz

Furthermore, the project's groundwork has focused on securing a laminar flow bench, integrated within the university laboratory to ensure a controlled environment with adequate cleanliness levels. This facility has been used to inspect and begin tests of the component-off-the-shelf units that compose the satellite.

The team is currently working towards the preparation of interface tests and FlatSat test campaign, with its interlinked subsystems spread out across a table, before the CubeSat is ready for integration. 

Congratulations to the team on the promising advancements!