Pioneering space mission from Brno succeeded in European Space Agency program

The student team YSpace from Brno University of Technology (BUT) has achieved a significant milestone in preparing their own space mission. They are one of the five teams selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to advance in the Fly Your Satellite! Design Booster program. Space technology enthusiasts from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication (FEEC BUT) have been granted exclusive expert and technological support from ESA for the next 18 months. This support brings them closer to launching the first Czech student-designed satellite and researching cyanobacteria in microgravity as part of the CIMER mission.

Members of the YSpace team at ESA's headquarters in the Netherlands during Training Week – a workshop focused on all aspects of space mission engineering. | Autor: YSpace archive

"We are immensely proud that ESA recognized the potential of our mission. This success is the result of the relentless work of our team. Selection into the ESA program is a key step on our journey to launching the first Czech student-designed satellite into Earth's orbit. We are determined to make the most of this opportunity and are grateful for the immense support from BUT and other partners," said Filip Čapka, the technical leader of the CIMER mission and a master's student in the Space Applications program at FEEC BUT.

The CIMER Mission is a joint project of YSpace and researchers from Mendel University in Brno. It focuses on studying the behavior of cyanobacteria in microgravity. This will involve a 3U CubeSat with a module containing cyanobacteria. Once activated in space, their vitality and oxygen production will be measured.

"I am very pleased with this outstanding achievement. YSpace is one of the flagship creative initiatives of BUT students, who are engaging in real-world scientific experiments through this program. I believe this form of creative activity during studies is among the most effective methods of education and professional development, requiring students to solve numerous technical challenges while applying their academic knowledge and skills. This is one of the possible pathways for the future of technical education, which, combined with the appeal of space research, can be a great inspiration for prospective science and technology students," commented BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček.

The President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, also took an interest in the work of YSpace during his visit to BUT. | Autor: Václav Koníček

The Road to Success

The prestigious ESA-funded program focuses on university student teams, offering them support in improving the design of small satellites, known as CubeSats, and preparing them for future testing and deployment. The mission plan, titled CIMER (Cyanobacteria In Microgravity Environment Research), successfully passed several phases of a demanding evaluation process.

CubeSat is a type of small satellite in the shape of a cube, with one unit (1U) measuring 10x10x10 cm (3U combines three units). It is ideal for practical education in space engineering. Thanks to its small size and standardization, development and operational costs are significantly lower compared to traditional larger satellites.

3D visualization of the satellite for the CIMER mission. | Autor: YSpace archive

At the beginning of the program in October 2024, team members had to prepare a detailed mission proposal, including scientific objectives, technical design, and project feasibility. Based on the proposal, they were invited to the Training Week workshop in the Netherlands, focusing on all aspects of space mission engineering. Insights gained were then incorporated into an updated mission proposal, a key part of the next selection round.

The final phase took place in December 2024, where YSpace presented the CIMER mission to an evaluation committee of ESA experts. "We had to demonstrate that the project stood out in terms of innovation, technical robustness, and feasibility. The committee was impressed by our deep knowledge and readiness to tackle the mission's complex challenges," explained Filip Čapka.

The Fly Your Satellite! Design Booster program lasts 18 months and offers exclusive workshops, expert consultations, and feedback on technical solutions. With ESA's support, teams gain access to state-of-the-art facilities and leave the program ready to execute a successful space mission.

A Bright Future for Czech Space Research

"This success and activity would not have been possible without the extraordinary support of our partners from the space industry, sponsors, and the university. I am extremely proud of what we have achieved as a team. Our journey doesn't end here—this is just the beginning. We have already learned a lot and look forward to applying these insights to further improve our mission. The future of the YSpace team looks promising, and we are determined to push the boundaries of Czech space research. To realize this mission, we are still seeking additional partners who share our vision and want to support the development of space technologies. We warmly invite anyone interested to contact us," said Dominik Klement, the leader of the YSpace team and a PhD student at FEEC BUT.

Adam Hláčik, Václav Lazar, and Dominik Klement from the YSpace team gave a presentation at Meltingpot during the Colours of Ostrava festival. | Autor: Václav Koníček

YSpace was established in 2023 at BUT and quickly became a significant player among European student space teams. The team comprises 40 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral students united by their passion for space engineering. Their flagship project is the CIMER mission, scheduled for launch in 2027.

Participation in the program is an extraordinary achievement not only for the YSpace team but also for the entire BUT. Just two years after the launch of the Space Applications program at BUT, its students are achieving international success. The outcome also highlights the growing significance of Czech universities in space technologies, bringing the Czech Republic closer to leading countries in space research.