The European Space Agency is organising a one-day workshop on Materials for use on CubeSats performing small missions with different operational environments and lifetimes.
As the performance and reliability of CubeSat systems increases, these small platforms are becoming suitable for undertaking longer-duration missions in Low Earth Orbit (e.g. in constellations), even at very low altitudes with propulsion providing drag compensation, and short/long-duration missions in the more severe MEO, GEO, lunar or deep space environments. Such missions pose challenges for materials survivability and degradation, especially for materials which have not previously been qualified for those environments and might be attractive for cost reasons.
In line with the higher risk, lower cost approach of CubeSat or New Space missions, the focus of the Workshop will be on sharing information on the usability and survivability of novel materials or those available commercially off-the-shelf (COTS) and not previously space qualified. Examples of such materials from past or ongoing missions will be discussed, along with those proposed for future missions.
Additionally at the workshop, it is intended to launch an open call for proposals to the European CubeSat community for collaborative testing of COTS or new/novel materials intended for use on future CubeSat missions in the ESTEC Materials Laboratory facilities. The range of possible tests will be presented, and the test results are intended to be made available to the European CubeSat community in an on-line database format.
The workshop is open to European industry companies and research institutes/centres, European national space agencies/delegations and ESA personnel engaged in the development of CubeSats and with (potential) interest in materials survivability/characterisation for CubeSat missions.
The Workshop will be held on site at ESTEC and online as a hybrid event. Registration is required. Participants from the industry/research institutes wishing to give a presentation are encouraged to submit a short abstract during the registration process. The presentations given by industry/research institutes will be announced nearer the workshop date.
Please note that the maximum number of participants who can attend the Workshop on site is limited to 30 individuals, and registration is required beforehand. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Remote attendance will also be possible via WebEx connection (details to be provided to registered participants prior to the event).
Please note that the registration closes on the 3rd of December at 23.59.
Please be advised that the lunch and dinner are at one's own expense.
