Filenews 12 October 2024
Cyprus fully enters the space map with the creation of a microsatellite that is expected to be launched in 2026 and with a state-of-the-art three-dimensional metal printer, one of the few in Europe.
The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) metallic 3D printer will be used to create the microsatellite and both equipment and progress in these two fields were presented on Friday at the building of the Cyprus Space Exploration Organization (CSEO).
Presentations were made by distinguished scientists of the Centre and partners/partners of the project from Cyprus and abroad, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Innovation and the Chief Scientist.
The Cyprus Space Centre (C-SpaRC – www.csparc.org) is implemented under the auspices of the International Space Research Agency, and has been selected as an International Centre for Space Innovation.
The microsatellite, expected to be completed in 113 weeks, will likely launch from a center in the U.S., but the exact location of the launch is still being evaluated.
It was expressed that because microsatellites move in lower orbital positions with rapid orbit around the Earth, the procedures for frequency and launch authorizations will be fast.
As mentioned in the presentations, it will be launched at an orbital altitude of around 500 km and its exact position and orbit is still under discussion. It can remain in space for a period of up to five years.
Its technology also allows for a longer mission, is low energy consumption and has the ability to transfer a lot of data.
The experiments will be conducted on space weather, using NASA sensors, to better understand the influence of solar storms on our planet's atmosphere and our biology, while data will be collected on our environment and forests for early detection of fires, navigation purposes and even migration issues.
As far as our biology is concerned, scientists will be able to understand what happens to our gene expression when astronauts travel in space, whether changes are observed and whether there can be a reversal of the profile of that change. In addition, this research has applications on Earth for creating personalized medicines.
In their presentations, the scientists also referred in detail to the research and innovation developed with the creation of the microsatellite, the training and development of an ecosystem, the infrastructure for certification of space mission capabilities to reduce the risk of launch and the capabilities of sending commands to the craft in real time.
The satellite, with 3D printed parts, is being developed in collaboration with NASA and COSPAR, the leading international space research organization.
All presentations were made by the project partners i.e. the Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO), the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), the CYENS Centre of Excellence, the University of Cyprus, Aretaeio Hospital, as well as representatives of NASA TRISH and Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory.
What is an SLM printer?
Cyprus Space Exploration Organisation (CSEO) President George Danos told the media during the presentation that the metal printer is essentially the first large machine to come to the Cyprus Space Centre.
"It is the strategic infrastructure that we are implementing with competitive funding from the Research and Innovation Foundation in collaboration with NASA. This is one of the few metal printers of such specifications. The quality of the print, the size of the print, as well as the possibilities of using multiple metals made of aluminium, steel, titanium, etc. as well as the innovative technology of generative design allows us to manufacture metal parts or space instruments that are much lighter. "When you launch something into space, for exampmle our microsatellite, you want it to be as light as possible to have less cost for launch," he explained.
Danos said that this technology will enable us to have fast production of microsatellites, but at the same time it will help the wider ecosystem.
Kyriakos Michael, mechanical engineer and head of CSEO's strategic infrastructure, said these systems already have practical uses in industry, and even in defense. "So they are used for repairs quickly, they make repair pieces, if something breaks down on the ship for example they print it quickly with this machine and in the army it is used," he explained.
The Deputy Minister of Research and Innovation, Nikodemos Damianou, after congratulating all scientists, said that there are serious and very important applications and expressed the wish that at the end of the day they can be effectively exploited and be able to help grow this ecosystem of space technologies, to which the Deputy Ministry attaches great importance.
CNA
