The experiment "EXPLORE" was succesfully performed in the Thermal-Vacuum-Chamber of the Institute of Space Systems. EXPLORE stands for „EXPeriment for Liquid On-orbit REfueling“ and is a student-built experiment which shall be launched with a Rexus rocket form Esrange in northern Sweden in February 2011.

With the rocket flight the students want to test a method to fill propellant tanks in zero gravity. The components and electronics will be facing certain temperature changes during the flight and also on ground in northern Sweden which they have to withstand fully operational. In addition the tubing and the tanks need to be absolutely leak-proof at the low pressure of 0,5 mbar during the flight.

The Institute of Space Systems and with it the Small Satellites Group supports the students during assembly and test operations in the Thermal-Vacuum-Chember, which have proven that the experiment is able to withstand the temperature changes and the vaccum.

You can find more information on the website of the Rexus-program:

http://www.rexusbexus.net/

More information on the expermient EXPOLRE is avaible on the website of the student group:

http://www.explore-rexus.de/

- Fabian Steinmetz