HORUS

Satellite
Research & Development

The Horus mission was founded in 2020 with the aim to investigate and develop a full CubeSat along side students from backgrounds in engineering. Through the years the focus of the mission shifted from CubeSats to PocketQubes, however it has recently gone back to its original goal of designing and building a fully operational CubeSat.

Droughts are increasingly threatening both biodiversity and human communities in Spain and around the world. Their effects can be seen in recent events such as the DANA that impacted the Valencian Community or the Dixie wildfire in California, both of which were caused (directly or indirectly) by the accumulation of brush and dry trees. To help minimize potential damage, it is crucial to monitor and assess the areas most at risk.

The RiVO-1 (Riparian Vegetation Observer 1) project aims to use satellite technology to monitor riparian ecosystems focusing on vegetation health along river banks and streams. By analyzing satellite imagery, the mission identifies drought-prone aread and detects dead vegetation, which helps predict flood risks and droughts. This data is vital for flood prevention and supports efforts to protect vulnerale ecosystems.

The satellites in development are tested in university facilities, in a structure designed and printed in 3D by the members themselves, since the launching process is very complex.

This initiative not only provides students with practical experience but also contributes to the advancement of accessible space technology solutions.

Projects

Riparian Vegetation Observer -1

2025 - Current

The RiVO-1 (Riparian Vegetation Observer 1) mission is focused on using satellite technology to monitor and assess the health of riparian ecosystems along riverbanks and streams. Through the analysis of satellite imagery, RiVO-1 identifies drought-prone areas, detects dead vegetation, and helps predict flood risks, contributing to flood prevention and ecosystem protection. Our mission aims to participate in the Fly Your Satellite program organized by the European Space Agency (ESA), advancing our capabilities in space-based environmental monitoring.

The project aims to design, study, and develop an ultra-low-cost modular pico-satellite KIT of 1, 2, or 3 units, featuring deployable solar panels. It also focuses on prototyping through additive manufacturing and designing a dedicated operating system for the onboard computer.

Additionally, the project explores innovative solutions such as new polymers to reduce weight and production costs, along with 3D printing for crafting compact satellite structures.

Once completed, HORUS plans to participate in competitions like EuRoC (alongside the ARES mission) to test the KIT and ultimately qualify for the Fly Your Satellite! program by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the coming years.

Parallel Projects

Horus mission participated in the Europe 2 Space Challenge competition in 2022, an initiative proposed by several companies in the Spanish aerospace sector, which aimed to launch a series of PocketQubes developed by high school and university students. Horus' proposal consisted of the development of an electrodynamic Tether (EDT), an alternative propulsion system for small-scale satellites.

2021-Current

EU2Space Challenge

Horus mission was founded in 2020 with the aim to investigate and develop a full CubeSat along side students from backgrounds in engineering.

2022

CubeSat Development

2020-2021

For the members of the mission to acquire the necessary knowledge to be able to develop a functional CubeSat or PocketQube, the mission develops small studies related to the design and manufacturing phases for these types of satellites: modeling of the structure, attitude control, orbital simulations, environmental impact studies, etc. These mini-projects are conducted in collaboration with the ESEIAAT nanosatellite research team.