ETSI researchers participate in the development of the Alpha Mission satellite

Two research groups from the Higher Technical School of Engineering of the University of Seville (ETSI) participate in the Mission Alpha project, presented yesterday at the Real Alcázar of Seville, and which aims to put the first Andalusian satellite for scientific use into orbit .    

Specifically, the Electronic Engineering Group, which was represented at the presentation of the mission by researchers Fernando Muñoz and José María Hinojo , will work on the payload to study the radiation accumulated by electronics, optimizing protections and improving failure predictions. among others. For its part, the Aerospace Engineering Group, represented by Rafael Vázquez and Francisco Gavilán , will focus on the design and analysis of the mission, orbit determination and the control system and determination of the satellite's orientation. A distinctive feature of the mission is the active participation of young talents, many of whom are ETSI graduates, who contribute to the project with their knowledge and enthusiasm.

The Misión Alpha project ( https://misionalpha.com/ ) emerges as a pioneering initiative in the Andalusian "Newspace" panorama, combining the ingenuity of private and public entities in the region to give life to the first genuinely Andalusian satellite, called Alpha. ^3. This Mission aims to design, launch and operate a cubesat, a 100% Andalusian artificial satellite that will operate in low orbit. The Mission has two additional key objectives: to provide free scientific data to institutions, NGOs and universities, and at the same time, highlight and promote the relevance of a new space economy, promoting employment opportunities and inspiring future generations.

José Laffite, Project Coordinator, together with the Delegate of Cartuja, Innovative Parks, Employment, Economy, Commerce and Consumption of the Seville City Council, Álvaro Pimentel and the Secretary General of Research and Innovation of the Department of University, Research and Innovation, Antonio Posadas , were in charge of presenting said project, showing during the event, as the first milestone, a 3D replica of the Alpha^3 satellite with plans to be launched into space in 2025. The project is supported by leading companies, such as Alter Technologies, CactusSoft , Indaero Grupo Emergy and Integrasys, and has the support of the universities of Seville and Cádiz, as well as the Ontech Innovation and Smart City Cluster.