REXUS/BEXUS the German-Swedish Student Experiment Programme
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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