The MAUVE project aims to build, for the first time, a ready-to-launch CubeSat in a rapid timescale with the ultimate purpose of observing such stars via ultraviolet spectroscopy.
The state-of-the-art 16U satellite will move from TRL3 to TRL6 within the project and will prove a configuration for delivering excellent science data, while developing the key technologies in the interface with the detector, the thermal design and high-performance pointing accuracy. The concept of a small CubeSat mission performing spectroscopy of bright targets in the UV is in a sweet spot of technology access and performance which, unlikely many other complex astrophysical missions, avoids the need of large mirrors, cryogenic detectors and suppression of thermal emitted stray-light. The platform subsystems, except the pointing system, have the heritage from the ESA funded RADCUBE mission. Beside the redundant subsystems solutions, the platform of the extremely reliable satellite will include the novel Intelligent Payload Controller (IPC) module, providing an advanced interface unit between the platform and the payload.
The project will demonstrate the capability of the European industry in delivering innovative and ambitious scientific satellites at a radically faster pace and lower costs than traditional science satellites. MAUVE is being developed with the ambition to provide scientific data highly complementary to existing and upcoming exoplanet related space and ground-based observatories, including the James Webb Space Telescope and ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope. The project will furthermore trigger the development of new, low-cost scientific satellites to meet future science needs.
MAUVE will be designed and built by a Consortium of space dedicated SMEs. Scientific work will be led by Blue Skies Space (IT), the innovative CubeSat technology will be delivered by C3S (HU), and the advanced pointing system with the Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) will be developed by ISISPACE (NL).
