Gary Quinsac (CSUM) - ROBUSTA-3A journey: Designing, testing, and operating an educational 3U CubeSat for scientific missions

Title: ROBUSTA-3A journey: Designing, testing, and operating an educational 3U CubeSat for scientific missions

Abstract: The space center of the University of Montpellier (CSUM) launched ROBUSTA-3A (Méditerranée), its first 3U-CubeSat capable of 3-axis-attitude control, in Summer 2024 on Ariane 6 maiden-flight. Its primary mission is about transferring meteorological data from ship-based terminals to Météo France (French meteorological administration) through the ground station located in Montpellier to help better predict storms specific to the south of France. The satellite also embarks on an experiment measuring the effect of radiation on electronic memories.

This CubeSat, along with all CSUM’s CubeSats, is fully developed internally by our students and staff. It was integrated and tested with our ground support equipments (functional test bench, vibration shaker, TVAC), and it is currently operated from our ground station. 

After one year in orbit, it is time for the first batch of lessons learned of both design, testing, and in-orbit operations. This presentation will focus on the Attitude and Determination Control System (ADCS). From its validation with a FW/HW-in-the-loop test bench, through an early spin of about 130°/s and an undeployed solar panel, to achieving the specified pointing performance, all while addressing highly critical anomalies along the way.