MUSTANG 2001 Summary of the Group Design Project MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering 2001/02 Cranfield University

MUSTANG (Multi-University Space Technology Advanced Nanosatellite Group) was the group design project for students of the MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering for the Academic Year 2001/02 at Cranfield University. The project also involved students of Southampton University and Astrium (UK) Ltd. and was supported by BNSC. The project involved the initial design of a nanosatellite to be used as a technology demonstrator for microsystem technology (MST) in space.

The project builds on previous work (in 1999/2000 and 2000/01) and is both a critical re-evaluation of the previous work and a development of new design work in specific areas (e.g. electrical subsystem, mechanisms, data handling). By the end of the project, the design has developed to a stage where detailed sub- system design and prototyping / manufacture are the next steps. The goal of launch readiness by 2003/04 is possible, but only achievable with significant extra resources.