REXUS/BEXUS the German-Swedish Student Experiment Programme
Dr. Michael Becker /DLR Space Administration /Mircrogravity Resarch and Life Sciences
.de/rexus-bexus Credit: Nonwarit/Fotolia The German Aerospace Center (DLR):
1 The national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany
2 Germany’s space agency (Space Administration), DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the design, planning and implementation of the German space programme
3 DLR is also the umbrella organisation for Germany’s largest project management agency (not related to space), supporting clients in planning, implementing and communicating funding programmes in research, education and innovation
DLR Bonn Credit: Nonwarit/Fotolia The German Aerospace Center (DLR):
1 The national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany
2 Germany’s space agency (Space Administration), DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the design, planning and implementation of the German space programme Preparation of German space planning on behalf of the Federal Government defines, implements and executes the German space programme Representation of German space interests in the international space arena, especially with regard to ESA plans, supports and manages national space projects promotes German space-related industries and science (Universities) (contracts and grants for research and development tasks in the National Programme) DLR Bonn Credit: Nonwarit/Fotolia The German Aerospace Center (DLR):
1 The national aeronautics and space research centre of the Federal Republic of Germany
2 Germany’s space agency (Space Administration), DLR has been given responsibility by the federal government for the design, planning and implementation of the German space programme
Departments of the Space Administration
National programme . Earth Observation . Satellite Communication . Navigation . Space Science (extraterrestrial) . Microgravity Research and Life Sciences . Launchers/ Space Transport . Human Spaceflight, ISS and Exploration . General Technologies and Robotics . (National Contact Point Space ) . (ESA Affairs) DLR / Space Administration/ Microgravity Research & Life Sciences
1. Research-Funding Scientific Projects (Univ., etc.) Biology, Medicine, Physics & Material Sciences
2. Project Management Developing Experiment Hardware
Providing Flight Opportunities 3D-ETD SKIN-B Cellbox
22 sec (90x) permanent 9 Sek 6-12 min 1-2 month Weeks
3. Intern. Representation and Coordination ESA-Boards; ISLSWG, etc. Bilateral Working Groups (Russia, China, CNES, NASA etc.) REXUS/BEXUS
Rocket-/Balloon EXperiments for University-Students
A German-Swedish student programme signed in 2007 by the Space Administration of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). Through the collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA), the Swedish share has been made available to students from all ESA Member or Cooperating States. REXUS/BEXUS - in a nutshell
• Student experiments
• Annual call for proposals
• Life cycle of a space project/mission: 1/ 1.5 years
• 2 rockets in spring, 2 balloons in autumn
• Launch site: ESRANGE in Northern Sweden
• Since 2007: 12 project cycles
22 BX balloon launches in 11 campaigns 22 RX rocket launches in 11 campaigns
balloon launches cycle 12: October rocket launches cycle 12: spring 2020 REXUS/BEXUS - Funding and Organisation
Esrange The REXUS/BEXUS programme is realised under a bilateral Agency (Support, Campaign Management) Agreement between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Swedish Kiruna National Space Agency (SNSA).
The Swedish share of the payload has been made available to students from other European countries through a collaboration with the (Funding) European Space Agency (ESA).
EuroLaunch, a cooperation between the Esrange Space Centre of SSC and the Mobile Rocket Base (MORABA) of DLR, is responsible for the campaign Stockholm (Support + Payload Management) management and operations of the launch vehicles. Experts from DLR, SSC, ZARM and ESA provide technical support to the student teams throughout the project. Education @ESTEC
(Selection + Support)
Bremen Noordwijk Space Administration Bonn (Funding + Selection)
Oberpfaffenhofen MORABA
(Support, Campaign Management) REXUS/BEXUS - offers… expects… • complete life cycle of a space project • project management: planning, organisation and • lessons/lectures from aerospace experts during a training week realisation of their project • continuous technical, logistic and organisational support • follow the REXUS/BEXUS project schedule and the throughout the project requirements • sponsoring of travels and material (DLR teams) • preparing and updating the “Student Experiment • contact with other European student teams and space Document” (information with respect to design, organisations, teamwork, „space locations“ in Europe operations, safety and project management) • international conferences • Outreach (Mandatory!) / Publication • part of Bachelor, Master, PhD REXUS/BEXUS - offers… expects… • complete life cycle of a space project • project management: planning, organisation and • lessons/lectures from aerospace experts during a training week realisation of their project • continuous technical, logistic and organisational support • follow the REXUS/BEXUS project schedule and the throughout the project requirements • sponsoring of travels and material (DLR teams) • preparing and updating the “Student Experiment • contact with other European student teams and space Document” (information with respect to design, organisations, teamwork, „space locations“ in Europe operations, safety and project management) • international conferences • Outreach (Mandatory!) / Publication • part of Bachelor, Master, PhD • FUN! REXUS/BEXUS - Fields of Research
Scientific Research: Technology/Engineering:
• Space Radiation • Communication • Biology • Aerodynamics • Physics: Fundamental Physics, • Deployment Systems Astrophysics, Fluid Physics • Re-Entry Systems • Atmospheric Research • Navigation • Climate Science • Technics/Instruments/Materials for Space • Earth´s magnetic field Application • Remote sensing • Rocket and Balloon Techniques • Microgravity Techniques
morning @ BEXUS 22 launch Oct 2016 REXUS/BEXUS - the REXUS rocket
Two REXUS-rockets with student experiments are launched annually in February/March from Esrange. After a parachute landing the payloads are recovered; the experiments are handed back to the students.
REXUS 21, March 2017
Apogee: 75-90 km Rocket motor: Improved Orion Payload: experiments max. 40 kg, Rocket spin: 4 Hz, Yo-Yo on demand (de-spin) service system 60 kg Propellant: 290 kg solid propellant Dimensions: length 5,6 m, diameter 35,6 cm Nosecone: ejectable Mass: 515 kg Recovery: helicopter + truck Internal power: 28V, 3 A total REXUS - the launch REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon
Two BEXUS-Balloons are launched annually in October from Esrange.
Flight altitude: 25-35 km Flight duration: 2-5 h Payload mass: 40-100 kg Gondola: 1,2 x 1,2 x 1 m Balloon: 12000 m3 Zodiak 12 SF Plastic-Balloon, inflation with helium (100 kg plastic, 25 µm thick), diameter up to 26 m @ float Total length of : 65-100 m Launch vehicle: 50 t “Hercules” with a 12 m crane Up & Downlink: up to 2 Mbs (total) Position data: Post flight GPS data Mechanical interface: standard rail M6 Recovery: helicopter and truck REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon
Two BEXUS-Balloons are launched annually in October from Esrange.
- Cutter: activated by telecommand from the EBASS system (pilot) - Parachute: opened in free fall 80 – 120 m2 - EBASS: Esrange Balloon Service System: used for piloting the balloon, GPS and data logging - Ballast mass: coarse control of the float altitude (rarely used on BEXUS) - Strobe Light: visual indicator for ground tracking and aircraft - Flight train AGT: Satellite localisation + Air traffic control transponder - Radar reflector: cube reflector, increases radar cross section for radar tracking
Gondola: Experiments, E-link cradle, device and antenna, Gondola power (battery stack) REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon
Flight trajectory - theory REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon
Flight trajectory – real life REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon Flight trajectory REXUS/BEXUS - the BEXUS balloon landing
Cut down is initiated by telecommand or time out. when the following conditions are met:
• The flight has reached it’s required duration AND • The payload will land away from populated areas and water OR • The flight has become hazardous AND • The payload will land away from populated areas OR • The vehicle will leave European air space (Russian Border) AND • The payload will land away from populated areas
Try and miss the lakes/rivers/swamps. Hitting trees and rocks is OK (no dragging) REXUS/BEXUS - the launch site
ESRANGE Space Center
• Located in the very north of Sweden • Swedish Lappland • 45 km east of Kiruna • 150 km north of the Arctic Cycle
• Launch Site for Sounding Rockets and Stratospheric Balloons • Satellite Ground Stations / SAMS and private customers 67.9°N, 21.1°E REXUS/BEXUS - the launch site
October (BEXUS) Very low humidity inside “dry air” • -5 to +5oC (freeze – thaw) • Early snow or rain • (<10cm snow on the ground) • ~11 hours daylight (sun up) REXUS/BEXUS - the launch site
Dome Rocket Area Cathedral Basilica Chapel
Main Building Preparation Balloon Pad Preparation Halls Buildings
Hotel
Balloon Pad
Site Entrance BEXUS - the launch REXUS/BEXUS - the project cycle
Call for Deadline for Training Proposals Proposals Week, PDR 17.06.19 14.10.19 02.2020
2019 2020 2021
Experiment Selection WS 25. – 28.11.19
14.10.19 Deadline 25. -28.11.19 02.2020 Student Training Week 17.06.19 Call for Proposal für Proposals Selection Workshops & Preliminary Design Review (DLR Bonn & ESA/ESTEC) (@ Esrange, Sweden) REXUS/BEXUS - the project cycle The Training Week
Lectures on: PDR
• Electrical Rocket and Balloon Systems Ask your expert • Service Systems and Power • Communication Team building and excursions • Systems Engineering • Software Design • Thermal Design • Requirements Verification and Testing • Interfaces: mechanically and electrically • Mechanical Design for Rocket and Balloon Experiments
• Project management • Outreach • agencies REXUS/BEXUS - the project cycle
Launch Campaign FRR IPR
EAR PDR CDR
Selection
Proposal REXUS/BEXUS - the project cycle
BEXUS BX Reviews Deadline for Training Launch Campaign Call for CDR 05 20, IPR 07 20, Final Student Week, PDR BX 30/31 Proposals Proposals EAR 09 20 Report BX 17.06.19 14.10.19 02.2020 10 20
2019 2020 2021
Experiment RX Integration Launch Campaign Final Student Selection WS Week 12 20, RX 29/30 Report RX 25. – 28.11.19 RX Reviews Bench Test 01 21 03 21 CDR 07 20, IPR 07 20, EAR 11 20 REXUS
BEXUS 30/31 REXUS 29/30
2020/05 Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), ESA/ESTEC 2020/06 Critical Design Reviews (CDRs), DLR Oberpfaffenhofen 2020/07 Integration Progress Reviews (IPRs) 2020/08 Integration Progress Reviews (IPRs)
2020/09 Experiment Acceptance Reviews (EARs) 2020/11 Experiment Acceptance Reviews (EARs)
2020/10 Launch Campaign (10 days), Esrange 2020/12 Integration Week, ZARM-FAB Bremen
2021/01 Bench Test Week, DLR Oberpfaffenhofen
2021/03 Launch Campaign (12 days) , Esrange REXUS/BEXUS - 2017: 10 successful years REXUS/BEXUS - 2017: 10 successful years
>1200 + direct participants
147 experiments Publications (2016):
318 Unique references on Google Scholar 5 Book Sections 199 Conference Papers 54 Peer-reviewed journal Articles
Alumni survey 2016:
53,5 % part of degree 92% increased interest in space related career 83% REXUS/BEXUS has/will help >10,000 public reach 65% employed in ‘space’ 99,1% satisfied How to participate?
Student at University or higher education college in Germany, Sweden or ESA member state
Form a University team
Apply at DLR (Germany) or ESA/SNSA (ESA member state)
Application form: rexusbexus.net
Deadline: 14 October 2019 !!!
More information: rexusbexus.net dlr.de/rexus-bexus REXUS/BEXUS - more information
rexusbexus.net facebook.com/rexusbexus twitter.com/rexusbexus REXUS/BEXUS
“Probably, the best thing is the knowledge you gain through all the project from the very first PDR document to the last final report. The meetings with the RXBX staff are incredibly useful and rewarding and they really help you to “This project taught me more about space achieve the experiment objectives. In the personal field, it's impossible to find the right word to describe the ties of engineering and project management friendship you make being involved in this program.” than all of my degrees combined. I highly recommend it. Skills learned are still relevant to my work today. It doesn't matter that our experiment wasn't a complete success, the learning was in the journey. Thank you” DLR.de • Folie 33 > Vortrag > Autor • Dokumentname > Datum
Thank you for your attention!
Team UB-SPACE: RX21 March 2017