VIBES project: Bremen University of Applied Sciences on the way to new space endeavours

Students at Bremen University of Applied Sciences are preparing for a unique space mission. Their self-built satellite, VIBES Pioneer, is about to take off into space. VIBES Pioneer was developed as part of the VIBES project (Visionary Ingenuity Boosting European Spacecraft) of the Institute of Aerospace Technology (IAT) at HSB and is set to be sent into space in the near future as Bremen’s first student-developed satellite with a launch vehicle.

Tim Gust, Head of Programme Strategy for the VIBES project, describes the intensive development phase and the challenges that the team has to overcome: ‘It’s incredible how much work and dedication the entire team of now over 30 HSB students has put into this project. From the design and construction to the test phase – every step requires the utmost precision and teamwork.’

The VIBES Pioneer satellite is a so-called 3U CubeSat, which measures 30 x 10 x 10 centimetres and is roughly the size of a narrow shoe box. Inside it is a novel measuring system that uses smartphone sensors to measure vibrations in orbit. ‘The system was developed as part of VIBES and is intended to be used in future to improve the performance of optical instruments in particular with the help of the data obtained,’ explains Gust.

Students of the VIBES project examine the structural model of their satellite with an ESA expert as part of a test campaign in Belgium in May 2024  (©ESA/VIBES – Hochschule Bremen)

The VIBES satellite research project was launched in 2021 by Prof Dr Antonio Francisco García Marín. ‘The aim of VIBES is to bring the consumer electronics revolution into space to improve the performance of spacecraft, and to combine teaching, research and industry in the space city of Bremen to promote the development of talent and technologies for the future of space travel,’ explains Gust. ‘We want to utilise technological progress. Our smartphone can already do so much – why not extend this to space?’

From the very beginning, it had been a clear goal to one day launch their own satellites. This idea became a reality when the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) issued a call for tenders for a free ride into space. ‘We drew up the mission concept for VIBES Pioneer within five months and applied to the DLR,’ reports Gust. In November 2023, the dream then became reality: at the Small Satellites Conference in Berlin, it was officially announced that the VIBES Pioneer mission had been selected as one of eight European projects to be launched into space.

VIBES Pioneer is Bremen’s first student satellite to be launched into space. On display is the so-called structural model, which was qualified in May 2024 as part of a test campaign (©ESA/VIBES – Hochschule Bremen).

The news that the team had won the free flight opportunity was met with great enthusiasm. ‘It was surreal. The opportunity for students to launch their own satellite is incredible. We are the pioneers here in Bremen,’ remembers Gust. The launch is now scheduled for early 2025 from SaxaVord Spaceport on the Shetland Islands in Scotland. From there, VIBES Pioneer will be launched into a sun-synchronised orbit using a launcher from Rocket Factory Augsburg.

Co-operations with various partner institutions such as DLR, ZARM, OHB, DSI and AES make a decisive contribution to the success of the mission. The institutions support the students in the design of the satellite and the development of the components. In addition, the Academy Programme of the European Space Agency ESA gave the VIBES team the opportunity to put the structure of VIBES Pioneer through its paces at a special test centre in Belgium in May of this year: ‘There, under the supervision of ESA experts, we were able to test whether the satellite can withstand the extreme structural loads of a space mission,’ reports Gust. With success: VIBES Pioneer has already passed the structural qualification.

The coming months before the launch are full of challenges, especially with regard to finalising the satellite and applying for the necessary licences. ‘There are long technical and bureaucratic to-do lists to work through. Although VIBES Pioneer is a comparatively small and inexpensive satellite, we still have to overcome hurdles similar to those for the launch of a large spacecraft.’ Gust is convinced that the VIBES team will succeed: ‘The VIBES spirit is genuine. The team is incredibly motivated and invests a lot of private free time in the development of the satellite. Being able to build and launch your own satellite as a student is a unique opportunity,’ says Gust.

University of Applied Sciences: in the VIBES project students get hands-on and develop real space projects as part of their degree programme. The VIBES Pioneer satellite built by them will be Bremen’s first student satellite to be launched into space at the beginning of 2025. Over 30 HSB students from five continents and a wide range of degree programmes are working on the development of VIBES Pioneer (© Hochschule Bremen).

The practical experience that the students gain through the project is invaluable and is increasingly being integrated into the teaching programme at Bremen University of Applied Sciences. ‘The idea is to use this practical experience to advance teaching and research at HSB,’ explains Gust. ‘The short distances in Bremen allow for a quick, direct exchange and put the city in a unique position in Germany. Bremen – the whole city is basically one big campus, with universities, industry and research institutions all close together. With VIBES, we are trying to bring the various players in the city even closer together. For us, this is an investment in the future; we want Bremen to remain the heart of European space travel in the future.’

The VIBES project impressively demonstrates how academic and industrial collaboration can lead to ground-breaking innovations. With the imminent launch of the VIBES Pioneer satellite, the team is well on the way to setting new standards in space technology.

About Bremen Bremerhaven – CITY OF AEROSPACE

Aeronautics and space sectors are the central key industries in the German federal state of Bremen as part of the innovation strategy of the German federal state of Bremen 2030 and markets themselves under the claim Bremen Bremerhaven – CITY OF AEROSPACE. Four organizations in the German federal state of Bremen work together to implement the operational goals of the innovation strategy Bremen 2030.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ports, and Transformation creates the financial and organizational framework for the design and implementation of the aeronautics and space industries strategy.

AVIASPACE BREMEN e.V. oversees the network and participation in innovation projects necessary for the implementation of the operational goals of the innovation strategy.

The Bremer Aufbau-Bank GmbH (BAB) as state development bank, handles the German federal state of Bremen aeronautics and space research program. BAB Starthaus supports startups and young companies and integrates them into the startup ecosystem of the state of Bremen.

WFB Wirtschaftsförderung Bremen GmbH supports the activities of the Bremen Bremerhaven CITY OF AEROSPACE through trade fair and event organization. The claim BremenInvest fosters the internationalization of the industry. The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) supports companies with questions relating to innovation and internationalization.