UPMSat-2

Beyond the university

The UPMSat-2 is a satellite that has been developed within a university environment. One of its main functions has been to contribute to the education of many students of the Degree in Aerospace Engineering and the Master’s Degree in Space Systems at the Polytechnic University of Madrid. However, at the IDR we believe that the UPMSat-2 is a project for everyone and we want to make known the scope of the work that researchers, professors and students carry out daily within the UPM.

With this objective, UPMSat-2 was born: Beyond the university. This series of informative videos aims to make known the UPMSat-2, its design and all the work behind a project of these characteristics. With the launch of this satellite just around the corner, the IDR has decided to embark on this project through colleagues who have lived part of the process and former students of the Master’s Degree in Space Systems.

How much do you know about space projects? Do you know how each of its subsystems is designed? Do you know the integration process or how satellite verification tests are carried out?

From Tuesday, June 11, until the launch of our satellite, we will be talking to you week by week about all this and much more in UPMSat-2: Beyond the University.

We look forward to seeing you!

Ep. 1: Space Projects

In this first video, David González Bárcena, researcher of the UPM’s Own R&D+i Program and member of the IDR, tells us what UPMSat-2: Beyond the University will consist of. He also gives an introduction to space systems and UPMSat-2.

Ep. 2: Our Satellite

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Pablo Arcenillas, an engineer at IDR, tells us about the objectives of our satellite and its main characteristics and mission.

Ep. 3: UPMSat-2 Structure

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Miguel Lera, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, explains the structure of our satellite, its parts, and how it was designed.

Ep. 4: Attitude control

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Juan Bermejo Ballestero, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, talks to us about the UPMSat-2 attitude control subsystem. Why is it necessary? How do satellites manage to orient themselves in space?

Ep. 5: Telemetry and Communications

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Jose Miguel Álvarez Romero, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, talks to us about the UPMSat-2 telemetry and communications subsystem. How does our satellite manage to send information to the ground station?

Ep. 6: Payloads

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, David González Bárcena, researcher of the UPM’s Own R&D&i Program and member of the IDR, tells us what the UPMSat-2 payloads will consist of. What is the objective of our satellite in space? What equipment is it intended to test?

Ep. 7: Thermal control

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Arturo González-Llana, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, talks to us about the UPMSat-2 thermal control subsystem. How is it possible to keep all the equipment within the temperature requirements?

Ep. 8: Launch Vehicle

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Lilian Peinado, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, talks to us about the launcher on which UPMSat-2 will go into space and explains why its launch has been delayed.

Ep. 9: Power Generation

In this new video from UPMSat-2: Beyond the University, Pablo Arcenillas, an engineer at IDR, talks to us about how UPMSat-2 obtains power in space and how it is distributed to all the equipment.

Ep. 10: Integration and testing

After a few months, UPMSat-2 is back: Beyond the university. Juan Bermejo Ballesteros, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, tells us how UPMSat-2 was integrated and tested at the IDR facilities on the Montegancedo campus.

Ep. 11: Computer and Ground Segment

Alejandro Fernández Soler, a predoctoral researcher at the IDR, talks to us about the satellite’s onboard computer and what it does, as well as about the ground station located on the Montegancedo campus.

Ep. 12: Web Application

Imanol Sardón Delgado, a student of the Master’s Degree in Space Systems, talks to us about the web application he has developed in collaboration with the STRAST group for satellite tracking.

Ep. 13 Pt. 1: Launch Campaign

Alejandro Fernández introduces us to this video in which Elena Roibás and Javier Pérez, professors at ETSIAE and members of the IDR, will tell you all the details of their work to prepare the satellite for the launch that will take place on June 19, 2020.