ORBITAL Launch
Launching a payload into orbit... and bringing it back!
LAUNCHING EARLY 2025
In early 2025, RASCube-1 will launch into orbit aboard a space capsule, built by European start-up The Exploration Company. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the capsule into space, where it will orbit Earth for a short period of time, before returning to for a safe ocean landing and recovery.
There are various payloads inside, built by school students from across the globe!
Image: Fully assembled payload in an ANFF cleanroom
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Key MISSION OBJECTIVES
1. Learn how to design and test an orbital payload. No one in our team has done this before, so we've got a lot to learn!
2. Return a real payload back from orbit and display it in museums and events for students to see. Show students how close it is to the educational RASCube they use in class!
3. Enable students from around the world to launch their ideas into orbit, with an easy to use flight environment.
4. Collect various types of data using on-board sensors and experiments. Distribute this data to students across the country, for free.
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Photo: Assembled electronics stack in an ANFF cleanroom
A GLOBAL COLLABORATION
Robinson Aerospace (Australia): Develops RASCube's electronics, structure, software and sensor suite.
VXS Space (Australia): Develops VEXUS sub-payload to measure radiation.
Space Elevator (Europe): Manages Project Space Call.
The Exploration Company (Europe): Builds space capsule to safely bring RASCube back to Earth.
SpaceX (USA): Launches space capsule into orbit.
Image: Hannah Ashford (TEC), Jackson Burford (VXS Space) and Edward Robinson (Robinson Aerospace)
VEXUS PAYLOAD
11-year-old Jackson Burford is developing a sub-payload (circuit board) which will be securely mounted inside of RASCube during the mission. The sub-payload will measure radiation, magnetic fields and types of shielding during its time in orbit.
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This project is a clear indicator of the huge growth in Australia's space industry, since the Space Agency was founded in 2018. Australia has gone from almost no space activity, to enabling an 11-year-old to launch his project into orbit!
Timeline and Progress
Prototype Built and Tested
December 2023​
Flight Unit Vibration Testing
June 2024
Flight Unit Shock Testing
August 2024
Integration into Rocket
Early 2025
Project Announced
March 2023
Flight Unit Final Assembly
May 2024
Flight Unit EMC Testing
July 2024
Flight Unit Capsule Integration
September 2024
Launch and Return!
Early 2025
