In August 2016, the UPSat CubeSat, a pioneering open-source satellite developed by the University of Patras and the Libre Space Foundation, was delivered to Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISpace) in Delft, Netherlands. This marked a significant milestone in the European Space Agency's (ESA) QB50 project, which aimed to deploy a network of CubeSats to study the lower thermosphere. ([](
Overview of the QB50 Project
The QB50 project was an international initiative led by the Von Karman Institute in Belgium, designed to investigate the largely unexplored lower thermosphere. By deploying a network of 36 CubeSats in 2014, the project facilitated multi-point, in-situ measurements to analyze temporal and spatial variations of key parameters within this atmospheric layer. ([isispace.nl](
Development and Delivery of UPSat
UPSat was a 2U CubeSat developed by the Libre Space Foundation in collaboration with the University of Patras as Greece’s contribution (GR-02) to the international QB50 atmospheric science constellation. It is widely recognized as the first satellite in orbit whose hardware and software were entirely open-source. ([libre.space](
The development of UPSat was a collaborative effort involving engineers from the University of Patras and the Libre Space Foundation. The satellite was designed to participate in the international QB50 research mission, aiming to study the lower thermosphere. The project was completed with the contribution, development, and integration by the Greece-based non-profit "Libre Space Foundation." ([spacemart.com](
On August 18, 2016, UPSat was successfully delivered to ISISpace in Delft, Netherlands. This delivery marked the first complete delivery to ISISpace as part of the QB50 project. Engineers from the University of Patras and the Libre Space Foundation, in cooperation with Von Karman Institute and ISISpace engineers, successfully concluded all checkout tests and delivery procedures, enabling UPSat’s integration into the NanoRacks launch system. ([libre.space](
Launch and Mission Details
UPSat was launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 18, 2017, aboard an Atlas V rocket as part of the Cygnus OA-7 mission. After docking with the ISS, UPSat was deployed into orbit on May 18, 2017, via the NanoRacks deployer. The satellite operated nominally, transmitting data and images back to Earth, including photographs of Greece from space. ([nanosats.eu](
Significance of UPSat
UPSat's development and deployment were significant for several reasons: - **Open-Source Innovation**: UPSat was the first satellite made entirely with open-source hardware and software, setting a precedent for transparency and collaboration in satellite engineering. ([libre.space]( - **Greek Contribution to Space Exploration**: As the first satellite designed and manufactured in Greece, UPSat showcased the country's growing capabilities in space technology. ([spacemart.com]( - **Advancement of CubeSat Technology**: UPSat's mission demonstrated the viability of CubeSats for scientific research, particularly in studying atmospheric phenomena like the lower thermosphere. ([isispace.nl](
Conclusion
The delivery of UPSat to ISISpace in August 2016 was a pivotal moment in the ESA's QB50 project, highlighting the potential of open-source collaboration in space exploration. UPSat's successful deployment and operation underscored the growing role of CubeSats in advancing our understanding of Earth's atmosphere.