We have all seen videos and images of rockets taking off, rising into space with flames and smoke behind us. When we think of space travel, this is the image that comes to our mind, which has been the standard method of space travel for decades. However, once in orbit, the rocket relies on limited fuel to complete its mission. It is undeniable that many things can go wrong in space. Considering this, what if a more sustainable mode of space transportation could be developed?
Imperial College London Space Team
The Svarog project is named after the Slavic god of fire and sky, and is a student team at Imperial College London with the goal of becoming the first student team to launch a spacecraft outside the solar system. To achieve this goal, the team chose to further advance solar sail technology.
Solar sail is a unique space exploration method that has not yet been widely used. Solar sails do not require propulsion mechanisms or fuel. On the contrary, it uses the solar radiation pressure of light particles (photons) from the sun. It travels in space by utilizing this free energy, just like a sailboat uses wind to propel itself. The reflective surface and rotational ability of a solar sail enable it to capture the maximum amount of light based on its position. Therefore, this space travel method is more sustainable and reliable.
The team's goal is to use a specific solar navigation trajectory called solar diving to leave our solar system. Diving refers to the act of getting very close to the sun and diving into its rays. By utilizing strong solar radiation pressure, the objects involved can experience significant acceleration. This allows it to spiral away from the sun, effectively increasing its apogee at a faster speed.
BEXUS 34 solar sail prototype undergoes testing and deployment two days before launch
This team was established in 2021 and is part of the Imperial College London Space Society. The task leader of the team, second year PhD student Matthew Acevski, said: 'Currently, there are approximately 25 active members of the Svarog project, all of whom are students of Imperial College London.'. According to the nature of their degree, they can only truly participate in the project a few years before graduation. ”. Through these changes, the project leader ensures continuous progress in all areas by continuously recruiting and supplementing sub teams.
Despite student rotation, the team did not forget their goal: to enter space. Asefsky said, "We are willing to do this in the next six to eight years.
Modal analysis shows the deformation of each mode under load. The color represents how much pressure each point of the cube satellite is subjected to at any given time. These pieces of information are crucial for understanding where the malfunction is most likely to occur.
The Svarog project team will continue to utilize the capabilities of Ansys simulation software to model and test the structural, mechanical, and fluid properties of the solar sail as it approaches launch into space.
Photo taken by BEXUS 34 balloon flying at an altitude of 27 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The hub is suspended at the bottom of a large cable car (provided by Swedish Aerospace Corporation) supported by a large stratospheric balloon.
A major improvement to the upcoming prototype is the integration of spring-loaded suspension rods into a single roll configuration, aimed at demonstrating and documenting the deployment of CubeSat shape factor solar sail films. The updated design incorporates new and improved suspension rods with a more reliable deployment system. . By using a single central cylinder to deploy the suspension rod, this mechanism requires less space, making it more compact in appearance and suitable for CubeSat applications. These changes represent significant improvements in performance and design efficiency.
Already showing signs
With the continuous development of the Svarog project team, they are seeking opportunities to launch solar sail technology into orbit. Their persistence in innovation drives them to explore new methods and designs to improve the efficiency and functionality of the system. Through these efforts, the team has broken through the boundaries of lightweight and deployable space technology.
Wheel hub supported by BEXUS balloons
The vision of the Svarog project is to become the first student team to launch a spacecraft to the edge of the solar system, and this vision is taking shape as the team gets closer to launching a solar sail into orbit. We hope that in the coming years, the accumulated experience from all our many experiments and missions can lead to true innovation and new improvements in solar sailboat technology, which can be used in future space missions around the world, "Acevski said.
As the team makes significant progress in the aerospace industry, they inspire others to view solar powered navigation as a viable alternative to long-term space missions. Through cooperation with major European space agencies, their goals are becoming a reality.
