CubeSats, like STRaND-1, are essential for the breakthrough of new technologies in the space industry. The relatively inexpensive CubeSat enables institutes and companies to test technologies and gain valuable flight heritage without risking millions (or even billions) of pounds of investment.

STRaND-1, the joint project between SSTL and the Surrey Space Centre (SSC), is one of these exciting experimental satellites and it’s not only its smartphone that makes it exceptional. Engineers at the Surrey Space Centre have also developed a unique mass and power saving plasma propulsion system to fly on the satellite. This system will be the first propulsive technology to provide very precise attitude control and pointing.

STRaND-1 will carry both a Resistojet and a Pulsed Plasma Thruster (PPT) module on board. The PPT will consist of eight micro thrusters; four located at the top of the satellite stack and four located at the bottom. The micro thrusters operate by discharging a discrete train of pulses. Each pulse is a plasma discharge that forms between two metal electrodes, much like a small lightning bolt or electrical spark. The spark erodes the metal from the electrodes and electromagnetics accelerate the eroded mass out of the nozzle, which produces thrust. This is known as the Lorentz force.

Surrey Space Centre has developed two ways of minimising mass and volume. Firstly, the electrodes which form the plasma discharge also function as the propellant. As metal is highly dense, more propellant can be stored in a smaller volume than that of conventional chemical propulsion systems. The total weight of the propellant for the whole STRaND-1 PPT system is just 10g.

Secondly, Surrey Space Centre’s novel discharge initiation system uses a mechanical contact trigger built out of a tiny piezoelectric motor only 5mm in length. This takes up less space than the conventional spark plug system which requires volume intensive circuitry.


Not only does SSC’s PPT module reduce mass and volume, it also uses less power than other propulsion systems. Between each pulse, energy is stored in a capacitor. This substantially reduces the power requirements for the thruster, making it perfect for small satellites such as STRaND-1. In fact, the power requirement for the system flying on STRaND-1 is only 1.5W, about the power needed to operate a bicycle light.

If successful, the STRaND-1 PPT will be the first propulsion system to provide full axis control on this class of satellite. Having an active propulsion system in orbit would open up new possibilities for future CubeSat missions like rendezvous and docking, and flyby inspection. The flight heritage and experience gained in using the PPT on STRaND-1 could then be transferred and scaled for other SSTL missions providing a low cost, mass and volume solution for future endeavours.

For updates on STRaND-1, visit the Facebook page or follow @SurreyNanosats on Twitter!

Earlier this week, Jean-Jacques Dordain, the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), officially opened SSTL’s new Kepler building. The Director General unveiled a commemorative plaque with David Willetts, the Universities and Science Minister, at an event attended by guests from the UK and European space sectors.

The Director General was taken on a tour of the building by SSTL’s CEO Matt Perkins and Executive Chairman, Sir Martin Sweeting. On their rounds they viewed satellites currently under construction in the Kepler building, including TechDemoSat-1, a medium resolution spacecraft for Kazakhstan and ADS-1B, an SSTL-100 platform for COM DEV’s exactEarth constellation which is due to be launched later this year.


The Director General was also shown the 14 European GNSS payloads being built in a specially designed secure area within the 40,000 sqft facility which is co-located with SSTL’s HQ in Surrey.

The Kepler building’s world-class testing halls and state of the art facilities will provide SSTL with greater capacity to build whole constellations at one time and also work on larger spacecraft than previously, such as the geostationary telecommunications satellite currently being developed under ARTES funding from ESA.


David Willetts welcomed the new facility, commenting:

"The continued success of SSTL is a clear sign that our space industry is thriving. This impressive, high-tech new facility is already manufacturing some of the most advanced satellites in the world, boosting growth and helping the UK stay ahead of the game in space technology."

We are currently experiencing the effects of a solar storm. Since Monday morning, high-energy particles have been hurtling towards Earth from the Sun. This is the result of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME); a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy and particles released into space from the Sun’s atmosphere.

This Youtube video shows a large solar eruption that occurred in June, 2011:



In space, CME particles can collide with crucial electronics onboard a satellite, disrupting its systems. This is of particular concern in a region centred over a point close to the Falkland Islands, known as the South Atlantic Anomaly, where the Earth’s inner radiation belt comes closer to our planet’s surface. Normally satellites experience much higher levels of radiation when travelling through this region, and these effects will be exacerbated during a solar storm.

Interference with satellite signal transmissions can potentially affect our satellite-dependent communications and TV. Disruptions can also affect satellite navigation resulting in positional errors of up to tens of metres – with significant consequences for aircraft navigation and landing in particular.

Another concern for aircrews is the enhanced radiation experienced during solar storms at high altitude and at the poles of the earth. Although this is unlikely to cause permanent harm, airlines often re-route aircraft to avoid exposure.

The effects of this solar storm have even been felt here in Britain. Increased solar activity enhances the auroral oval in both the northern and southern hemispheres meaning that people in the north of the UK were able to witness the spectacular Northern Lights over the last few nights.

In severe cases very large CMEs can induce electrical fluctuations at ground level with the potential to blow out transformers in power grids, as happened in the 1989 Quebec blackout.

There’s little need to worry this time round though. This storm is likely to be only moderate as the magnetic polarity of the plasma is co-aligned with the Earth’s magnetic field. Severe solar storm effects only occur when it is cross-aligned.

Evidently, in an increasingly technological world, space weather is a serious matter. As a result, SSTL and the UK government are keen to monitor it. TechDemoSat-1 which is currently under construction in SSTL’s new Kepler facility, will carry a number of payloads collectively known as The Space Environment Suite to record radiation and ion levels. This suite will provide us with more comprehensive measurements and it is increasingly likely that such payloads will be carried on all missions in the future.

DMCii has acquired an image of the recent flooding in Brazil. Torrential rains and a broken dam caused the Paraiba do Sul river to burst its banks close to the coastal town of Atafona, Rio de Janiero. The level of the River reached 10.9m, 3 metres higher than normal meaning over 4,000 people had to be evacuated from the immediate area. As reported by the Rio Times, the nearby town of Três Vendas was so badly affected that it was patrolled by city guards to prevent looting and the power was cut to prevent short circuits occurring.

This is one of many flooding incidents in south-east Brazil with total evacuation numbers now reaching 35,000. The country often encounters problems with extreme weather and last year around 1,000 people were killed during the rainy season.

If you’re interested in seeing more remarkable images captured by DMCii please visit DMCii’s photostream on Flickr.