Projects / Programmes
M5 modeliranje tehnologij in uporabe mikro in nano satelitov (Slovene)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.05.03 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Mechanics |
Numerical modelling |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.03 |
Engineering and Technology |
Mechanical engineering |
Researchers (7)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
21174 |
PhD Aleksander Grm |
Mechanics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
60 |
| 2. |
19623 |
PhD Goran Kugler |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2009 - 2010 |
288 |
| 3. |
20880 |
Anton Pristovšek |
|
Technical associate |
2009 - 2012 |
10 |
| 4. |
08302 |
PhD Tomaž Rodič |
Materials science and technology |
Head |
2009 - 2012 |
241 |
| 5. |
24293 |
PhD Aleš Škorjanc |
Biology |
Researcher |
2011 |
42 |
| 6. |
16096 |
PhD Tomaž Šuštar |
Mathematics |
Researcher |
2009 - 2012 |
46 |
| 7. |
05206 |
PhD Milan Terčelj |
Materials science and technology |
Researcher |
2012 |
392 |
Organisations (2)
Significance for science
In this project numerical tools for the most advanced M5 computer aided analyses of components and subsystems have been developed for micro and nano-satellites which are one of the fastest growing high-tech areas within the space technology sector. The new M5 models are enabling scientifically sound optimisation of advanced materials, integrated structures, thermal subsystems and actuators based on micropropulsion technologies.
The importance of the research achievements can be illustrated by the example of micro propulsion system which we believe will have the strongest S&T impact on the research of MEMS micro propulsion systems. We have developed computational methods to analyse very complex interactions of scale dependent phenomena in MEMS micro thrusters. The method enables optimisation of design parameters for cold and hot gas MEMS micro thrusters.
The results of the numerical model were compared with laboratory measurements of micro thrusters made by the Swedish company NanoSpace in collaboration with the centre of excellence SPACE-SI. With the calibrated M5 numerical models we have obtained a very efficient tool for computer aided design and optimisation of micropropulsion systems of second generation that enable very accurate control of the satellites during remote sensing and formation flying missions.
In addition to the M5 modelling of micropropulsion systems several other supporting systems have been developed to enable high precision analysis of heat transfer and mechanical analysis on different subsystems of the micro-nano satellites. The most important are the results of the optimization of heat transfer in a combination with the mechanical properties of advanced materials. With inverse analyses we are now able to identify the most influential M5 parameters in order to efficiently adjust satellite subsystems to the space environment. The micro and nano satellite systems designed in this way are enabling very low energy and propellant consumption and therefore lower cost or longer duration scientific and applied space missions.
Significance for the country
The project deals with the space technology development in a segment not yet developed in Slovenia despite a large identified potential. Dissemination of the results on conferences, fairs and international journals promoted local enterprises and researchers and elevated them the level of the most developed countries, including world superpowers. Knowledge acquired in the project has enabled development of a national satellite system positioning Slovenia in front of the countries in the region. An important aspect is related to association with foreign space agencies, especially the European Space Agency (ESA). We should also not neglect the evolution of research specialists, capable of operating in the most technologically proficient areas of space technology and the activation of interest for the studies of natural sciences and technology among the younger population, since the technological architecture and the possibilities of reception, distribution and processing of data from such a platform will be open and available.
The indirect benefits of entering space RTD activities are already evident in Slovenia by the example of C3M. When this high-tech SME started to look for strategic positioning of the company in the area of virtual modelling, it established many valuable contacts in general areas of micro and nano satellites including advanced mission operators, satellite system engineers, subsystem and payload providers, communication technology specialists, ground station operators, remote sensing data providers etc. With their network that was built over half of decade, C3M was in position to organise a high quality workshop with leading EU institutions and therefore support other scientists and engineers in Slovenia to efficiently establish their strategic links. Thus, entering the space arena in one area enabled accelerated developments in other complementary areas.
Furthermore, through the contacts that were established between C3M and the developers of Lapan TUBSAT from Technical University of Berlin it became possible on 25.6.2008 to perform first interactively navigated space flight over Slovenia with the remote sensing targets in the area of Koper and its surrounding. This excellent example of agile remote sensing clearly showed capabilities that can be achieved by newly emerging micro satellite technologies and served as demonstration case to inform prospective end-users in the region about the potentials that the novel micro satellite technologies can bring in the future to the following application areas:
- monitoring of vegetation and its development through time (seasonal, yearly),
- agricultural crop estimation and drought effects observation,
- monitoring of forest state, overgrowing and clearings,
- observation of human activity impact on vegetation,
- assessment of environmental damage,
- monitoring of urban development,
- observation of legal and illegal waste dumps,
- production of digital elevation or relief models,
- mapping, production and rapid updating of topographic and thematic maps,
- observation of land and maritime waters, floods,
- natural and human disasters,
- damage assessment,
- scientific missions,
- education,
- defence.
Thus, the M5 virtual models developed in this project strongly support the development of micro-system technologies that will enable cost effective monitoring of several parameters that have strong economic and environmental impact on our society.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
