| AAUSat-2 | |
| Names List: | AAUSat-II Aalborg University CubeSat-2 |
| Mission Type: | Technology demonstration |
| Operator: | AAU Student Space |
| Cospar Id: | 2008-021F |
| Satcat: | 32788 |
| Mission Duration: | 6 months (planned) 4 years (primary) 15 years (ongoing) |
| Spacecraft: | Aalborg University CubeSat-2 |
| Spacecraft Type: | 1U CubeSat |
| Spacecraft Bus: | CubeSat |
| Manufacturer: | AAU Student Space |
| Launch Date: | 28 April 2008, 03:53:51 UTC[1] |
| Launch Rocket: | Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-CA) |
| Launch Site: | Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Second Launch Pad |
| Launch Contractor: | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Entered Service: | May 2008 |
| Disposal Type: | Primary mission end |
| Deactivated: | March 2012 |
| Orbit Reference: | Geocentric orbit |
| Orbit Regime: | Sun-synchronous orbit |
| Orbit Inclination: | 97.9° |
| Orbit Period: | 97.4 minutes |
| Apsis: | gee |
| Instruments: | Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Gamma ray detector |
| Programme: | Aalborg University CubeSat |
| Previous Mission: | AAU CubeSat |
| Next Mission: | AAUSAT3 |
AAUSAT-II (Aalborg University CubeSat no 2), is the second student-built CubeSat built and operated by students from Aalborg University in Denmark.[2] It was launched 28 April 2008 05:53:51 UTC from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) launch vehicle. AAUSAT-II carries a gamma radiation sensor.
The primary purpose of construction of satellites at the University of Aalborg is to give the students engineering capabilities beyond what is normally achieved within a masters program.
Student satellite activities at Aalborg University (AAU) started in 2003 as a result of AAU's involvement in the first pure Danish research satellite, Ørsted, which was successfully launched in 1999. AAUSAT-II's predecessor was AAU CubeSat which was constructed in the period 2001-2003 and was launched 30 June 2003. The project started in the summer 2003. The construction of AAUSAT-II began in 2005.
After the launch on 28 April 2008, AAUSat-2 beacon was received at Cal Poly University in California but two-way amateur radio communications could not be achieved as it turned out that AAUSat-2 was transmitting at a lower level than anticipated. After upgrades to the ground station were completed, fully functional two-way communication were achieved and continued with normal operations until May 2009 after a year of successful operation.
The ground station has remained in operation and beacons are received on a regular basis and AAUSat-2 is still considered operational - although heavy tumbling is observed (December 2009). Beacons are still received on regular basis in March 2011. In addition, AAUSat-2 does receive and acknowledge commands from ground and log files has been requested and received. Due to the very high tumbling (more than 2.5 Hz) it has not been possible to decode log files.
Below is a snapshot of the radio communication. On left side is a beacon, next a request for log is issued and AAUSat-2 reply with a transmission of the logfile. Notice the high tumbling rate.
In March 2012, the AAUSAT-II mission was officially retired by the project — but the CubeSat is still up and running. As of 2022, the satellite continues to function.[2]
AAUSAT-II consists of several sub-systems:
Technical Facts:
| Dimensions | 100× CubeSat standard | |
| Mass | ||
| Expected lifetime | Minimum 1 month, extended until end of lifetime | |
| Attitude determination system | Sun sensors, gyro sensors, magnetometers | |
| Attitude control system | Momentum wheel and magnetic coils | |
| Power | Solar-cell panels located in satellite surface | |
| Batteries | Li-ion 8.2V 2200 mAh | |
| Power bus | 3.3 and 5V regulated |