Southampton University students complete innovative satellite docking simulator

A group of dedicated engineering students at Southampton University are set to showcase their innovative master’s project at the Southampton design show this June. Student Dominic Soltau and his team, supervised by researchers Dr Alex Wittig and Dr Sergio Araujo-Estrada, have created a Satellite Docking and Orbital Rendezvous Motion simulator (project STORM), sourcing key components to complete their design through the igus YES (Young Engineers Support) campaign.

Project STORM is designed to offer a cost-effective solution for ground-based testing of satellite docking technologies by emulating the dynamics of space environments. With the support of the YES campaign, Dominic and his team successfully integrated a drylin z-axis linear module from igus into the simulator which provided high accuracy positioning, completely free of lubrication. These simulators are crucial for testing various satellite docking hardware, cameras and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms.

Over the past six months, the team have made significant progress, meeting velocity, accuracy, and repeatability requirements for different docking trajectories across all axes. They are also in the process of testing a probe docking plate and Intel RealSense Stereoscopic camera, both of which serve as ‘representative stakeholders’ to their system. Additionally, a virtual twin of the simulator has been developed, allowing for comprehensive virtual testing of complete spacecraft architectures, including propulsion systems, within a dynamic simulation environment.

The engineering sector faces a significant skills gap, with a growing demand for highly skilled professionals in a variety of industry areas, there is no doubt about the importance of encouraging future generations to explore careers in these fields. “Student projects like STORM are crucial in fostering community between established engineers and aspiring ones. Bridging this gap by providing students with the components needed to put their ideas into practice aims to create a future generation of successful engineers” says Angelos Bitivelias, Automation Project Manager at igus.

Support from initiatives like the igus YES campaign play a vital role in ensuring young engineers are well-equipped to tackle future challenges, giving them access to a range of crucial components as well as industry expertise.

“It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Dominic and the team, and to see the progress of the project over the last six months,” says Bitivelias.

igus are committed to empowering aspiring engineers by providing them with the tools and resources they need to gain experience and push the boundaries of engineering. The YES campaign is available to all university students undertaking a project for their course where students can access professional advice and free samples for their designs.

Dominic and the team at Southampton University are one of many dedicated sets of students completing exceptional projects that highlight the many of opportunities in engineering. They will be exhibiting the results of their hard work at the Southampton design show on the 11^th of June.