There are many flying objects in space. Satellites are a valuable resource for collecting data and transmitting it back to Earth, where we use it in countless applications: just think of GPS.
For Politecnico, the most iconic satellites are CubeSats: miniaturized satellites so small they can fit in your hand. Modular, lightweight, and affordable, they have been designed to make space accessible to researchers and university students.
What makes CubeSats even more interesting is their numerous applications on Earth: satellite navigation, land mapping, emergency management, and climate research.
Even so, the latest CubeSat from Politecnico, launched in 2023, took Pope Francis' words into space!
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NomeIl team al lavoroDidascaliaCubesat Team at work - Immagine
NomeSpei Satelles - Immagine
NomeSpei Satelles montatoDidascalia"Spei Satelles" compleated - Immagine
Nome047303_29032023.jpgDidascaliaPope Francis blesses Politecnico “Spei Satelles” satellite. On June 13, 2023, the mission successfully departed from the U.S. base in Vandenberg, California, and carried to orbit pope's message of hope - Immagine
NomePresentazione Spei SatellesDidascaliaPress conference of "Spei Satelles" presentation - Immagine
NomeIl team in riunioneDidascaliaCubesat Team at work - Immagine
NomeCubeSat.jpgDidascaliaIl CubeSat 3U
By PoliTO Student Team CubeSat. Academic Advisor: Sabrina Corpino
ELECTRA is the most recent and ambitious CubeSat mission developed by the CubeSat PoliTO Team, a student-led initiative at the Politecnico di Torino. Designed for upper atmosphere observation, ELECTRA represents a significant leap forward in the university’s long-standing tradition of hands-on aerospace innovation. The satellite is a compact, modular platform that integrates advanced sensors and communication systems, enabling high-resolution data collection for environmental and scientific research.
The project is part of the European Space Agency’s Fly Your Satellite! Design Booster program, which supports university teams in developing real-world space missions. ELECTRA was selected for its technical maturity and the team’s demonstrated expertise in satellite design, integration, and testing. The mission aims to monitor atmospheric phenomena and contribute to climate research, while also serving as a testbed for new technologies in miniaturized space systems.
The CubeSat PoliTO Team, active since 2008, has already launched three satellites into orbit and continues to involve students in every phase of mission development—from concept and design to assembly and operations. ELECTRA builds on this legacy, combining academic excellence with practical experience, and reinforcing Politecnico di Torino’s role as a leader in space education and innovation.
