38084 - ROBUSTA

ROBUSTA (Radiation on Bipolar Test for University Satellite Application) is a nano-satellite scientific experiment developed by University of Montpellier II as part of a National Center for Space Studies (CNES) initiative to develop ideas for student projects in the field of orbital systems.

The satellite is defined as a Cubesat, the name given to a series of nano-satellites developed as part of student projects. The ROBUSTA mission is to check the deterioration of electronic components, based on bipolar transistors, when exposed to in-flight space radiation. The results of the experiment will be used to validate a test method proposed in the laboratory.

The duration of the ROBUSTA project is 6 years, beginning in 2006. The satellite was launched on February 13, 2012 with the first Vega, and the end-of-life is expected to be in 2015.

Quoting the official ROBUSTA website: "Faint signals were heard after launch on the 13th of february. A few days after launch no more signals were received: after investigation an anomaly was detected on the system of battery recharge. This anomaly will be corrected on the future satellite models."

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 2012-02-13
Launch Vehicle: Vega
Launch Site: Kourou, French Guiana