AURORA'S MISSION
The Aurora Mission is redefining how we protect life and technology in space. This student-led
CubeSat is the world's first to test an active shielding technology in orbit designed to defend
spacecrafts and biological payloads from cosmic radiation.
Carrying a genetically modified biological payload, Aurora transforms living cells into biosensors,
providing the first biological proof of concept for the active shielding technology. The payload
architecture reflects a close integration between biotechnology and aerospace engineering,
enabling controlled experimentation in orbit.
Globally, Aurora also introduces advanced mission management concepts aimed at optimizing
operational longevity and energy efficiency regarding the Biological Pyaload. As Portugal's first BioSatellite and Europe's first 1U CubeSat with a biological payload, it positions Portugal and Europe at
the forefront of space innovation.
Aurora is more than a satellite - it is a proof of concept for how ambitious ideas, developed in an
academic environment, can translate into meaningful advances in space safety and exploration,
showing that even a small spacecraft can carry a vision as vast as space itself.
DEPARTMENTS
Ensures precise orbit and attitude control, securing mission stability and experimental accuracy, managing operations and mission phases.
The CubeSat's nervous system: powering, connecting, and coordinating every subsystem in seamless harmony.
Builds the bridge to Earth, enabling reliable communication and data transmission.
Transforms yeast into biosensors to study how living systems respond to the environment.
Designs the structure and internal systems, ensuring endurance from launch to orbit.
Develops advanced materials and coatings to withstand radiation and extreme temperatures.
Creates the mission’s active shielding technology, redefining radiation protection in space.
Programs the CubeSat's intelligence, governing operations and safeguarding autonomy.
Guarantees legal, insurance, and debris compliance for responsible exploration.
Tells the Aurora story: uniting science, innovation, and national ambition.
OUR PROGRESS
The Aurora Mission has transitioned from vision to full satellite program. Following extensive
Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews (PDR & CDR), the mission now integrates coordinated
subsystems: AOCS, EPS, OBC, communications, and payload interfaces - each modeled and
documented under unified Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
Incorporating feedback from NovaSpace, D-Orbit, the Portuguese Space Agency, and international
advisors, the team is finalizing ground validations and preparing for the next stage of system
integration and testing.
Beyond engineering, Aurora has built a robust framework of scientific excellence, regulatory
compliance, and collaboration, marking Portugal's rise as a driving force in the new era of safe,
sustainable space exploration.