Lemur-2 Krywe (Adler-1) Satellite

Study the (micro) space debris environment in LEO to complement the models by an active short-range radar as well as a deployable piezoelectric array.

Study the (micro) space debris environment in Low Earth Orbit to complement the space debris models by obtaining in-situ data. The debris particles will be measured by an active short-range radar provided by Spire, as well as a deployable piezoelectric array provided by the OeWF.

The project has four objectives:

• Demonstrating in-situ space debris measurements from a 3U CubeSat as a precursor studying an ever-increasing problem: Space Debris. ADLER-1 shall demonstrate its capability to contribute to the understanding of this environmental problem.
• Showcase Austria’s Space Ecosystem: Austria partners with Silicon Valley’s SPIRE to tackle the global challenge: Space Debris. It will be the 4th Austrian satellite.
• Inspire local and global community engagement into space applications, data analysis, and university studies
• Showcase "From idea to orbit in 1 year" capability from Spire, underlining a general paradigm shift for space exploration - also in small countries like Austria.

Spire will make their global ground station network available, including flight operations and data management, as well as procure the launch operations. The scientific data will be the bases for various research and art projects.

Three remarkable partners have teamed up to fly this satellite mission: Findus Venture GmbH as a funding entity, the Austrian Space Forum as a national space research organization and Spire Global Inc., a Silicon-valley based space company operating its own fleet of satellites.

AUSTRIAN PARTICLE IMPACT DETECTOR - APID
APID stands for “Austrian Particle Impact Detector” and is a 0,3 m² (tbd) piezoelectric array, where a particle impact triggers an electrical current, providing a measure of the energy. This data can be correlated with velocity vector and position of the cubesat. Technically, it could be considered a “microphone” in space, as mechanical waves create an electrical signal.

The OeWF will deliver the payload and provide instrument support, but will also be responsible for the communication and education efforts of the ADLER-1 mission, as well provide administrative project services. Selected payload testing will be conducted at the certified labs of Spire in Glasgow, UK.

ACTIVE DEBRIS DETECTION - SHORT RANGE RADAR
The second detector is based upon a continuous-wave (CW) radar with a range of approximately 100m for sub-millimetric particles. The radar reflection, including a frequency shift shall detect “near miss” debris particles. CW system is ideal for observing a large range of velocities by measuring the difference in the frequency between the transmitted and received signals. This instrument is being built by a team under the lead of Spire Global.

The first signal detected by the cubesat “ADLER-1”, developed by the Austrian Space Forum (ÖWF) together with Spire Global Inc. and Findus Venture Gmbh, originates from an extraterrestrial object or a micrometeoroid with an estimated velocity of 54,000-72,000 km/h.

The first signal was detected in early May. Of the 70,000 signals detected so far, one signal shape has changed significantly, ultimately indicating this high velocity. At the time of detection, the ADLER-1 cubesat was at an altitude of 479 kilometers above the Atlantic Ocean.

• PLATFORM - Spire