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3D PLUS has more than 210,000 microelectronics components in space, and more than 25 years of flight heritage with no reported failure. Our Flight Heritage is expanding continuously with products launched in Space every month in LEO, MEO and GEO orbits, for deep space exploration missions, for satellite constellation fleets, and for governmental missions in Europe, America, and Asia. Our Flagship missions include Mars 2020, Mars Science Laboratory, Rosetta, New Horizons, Juno, OneWeb, AlphaSat, Sentinel, Ariane 5, ISS, Parker Solar Probe, Insight, and many more.
Paris, France – July 11, 2024 – 3D PLUS proudly extends its congratulations to the entire team at the Centre Spatial Universitaire de Montpellier (CSUM) for the outstanding success of the ROBUSTA-3A mission.
The ROBUSTA-3A mission, which was part of the inaugural flight of Ariane 6, represents the culmination of years of dedication and innovative efforts by the CSUM team. ROBUSTA-3A, the first 3-unit CubeSat developed by CSUM, is a pioneering platform entirely crafted in Montpellier, showcasing the remarkable capabilities of French engineering and technological innovation. It serves not only as a testament to the team’s expertise but also as a vital technological demonstration vector for its industrial partners.
The mission’s primary objective is Earth observation, specifically focusing on gaining a deeper understanding of the humidity field over the Mediterranean and contribute with this to improve the prediction of intense rainfall. The data collected by ROBUSTA-3A will be transmit as soon as possible to end users, – Météo-France – IGN – ENSTA BRETAGNE – PORT DE SETE SUD DE FRANCE – thus providing valuable information on risks and their locations, anticipating the actions to be taken prior to Cevennes episodes.
Additionally, ROBUSTA-3A carries a secondary mission to study the effects of radiation on electronic components, a crucial scientific partnership endeavor with the Montpellier Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics Laboratory (LIRMM), the Institute of Electronics and Systems (IES) of the CNRS and the University of Montpellier. This aspect of the mission is particularly significant for us, as it carries a LIRMM/IES payload dedicated to the radiation study in electronic components, including memory modules supplied by 3D PLUS, a founding member of the Van Allen Foundation. Our involvement underscores our commitment to advancing space technology and supporting innovative research.
The ROBUSTA-3A nanosatellite is a product of CSUM’s ingenuity and has benefited from financial backing by the Van Allen Foundation and the Nanolab Academy (formerly JANUS) of CNES. This collaborative effort extends further through robust partnerships with numerous French companies that contributed to the satellite’s technological development, among them: • AIRBUS DEFENCE & SPACE: contribution to the project reviews, • CLIX INDUSTRIES: hinges, thermal knives, bonding process (for solar panels), • LATECOERE Interconnexion Systems: harness, • MECANIQUE LAURENT: mechanical structure, • NIMESIS: deployment system (HDRM), • SAFT batteries: battery donation, • SAFRAN: antenna S-band donation, • SYMETRIE: alignment test,
The success of the ROBUSTA-3A mission is a shining example of French cooperation and innovation. It paves the way for future scientific and technological advancements, reinforcing the role of France in the forefront of space research and industry. Over the past ten years, 300 students from Bac+2 to Bac+6 levels have had the incredible opportunity to learn about space engineering by participating in the development of such a concrete project. This hands-on experience has not only enhanced their academic knowledge but has also prepared them to meet the challenges of the future in the aerospace industry. 3D PLUS looks forward to continued collaboration with the University of Montpellier, the CSUM, and all contributing partners. We are excited about the future possibilities that this mission opens up and stand ready to support further advancements in space technology. Once again, congratulations to the entire CSUM team on your exceptional achievement with the ROBUSTA-3A mission. Your hard work, creativity, and dedication are inspiring and will surely inspire future generations of space innovators.
