BEESAT - Overview

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BEESAT (Berlin Experimental and Educational Satellite) is a picosatellite project of Berlin Institute of Technology. The main objective of BEESAT is the in-orbit verification of newly developed reaction wheels for picosatellite applications.

Although there are currently many developers of so-called CubeSats, which are picosatellites at the size of 10x10x10 cm³ and a maximum mass of 1 kg, many of them lack a precise attitude control system. This in turn is mandatory for more sophisticated applications, which require pointing capability. Having a precise attitude control system opens the gate to new potential and very cost effective applications, which includes areas such as earth observation, space science, astronomy and in-orbit verification of new technologies.

The combination of highly sophisticated miniaturised technologies and the advantage of forming swarms or clusters of pico satellites will result in completely new applications at very low cost.

BEESAT will demonstrate the use of coin sized micro reaction wheels for attitude control of picosatellites in orbit as one of the key elements on which TU Berlin is currently working. Further missions with a focus on other key technologies are planned for the future.