Aether

14/09/2026

We passed another review!!

On the 25th of August, Esmée Menting of SSC Space paid a visit to our office at KU Leuven - Campus Groep T to go over the current state of the project. We, together with our newest recruits🧑‍🔧, got to discuss the challenges we faced and some we still have to overcome. As well as show the progress we made so far!!

The next step for the project is a testing campaign to qualify our satellite for the harsh conditions of a suborbital launch by sounding rocket🚀.

Stay tuned!

Rymdstyrelsen, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ESA - European Space Agency, SSC Space, ZARM

05/08/2026

Later this month the team will undergo the Integration Progress Review (IPR) as part of the cycle 17 REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students) campaign!! So let's see some progress!!!

We are proud to tell you that our heat shield has finally been assembled!! All layers are attached and is now awaiting integration into the FFU! Huge thanks to Insulcon and the Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB) at University of Stuttgart for helping realise this milestone!

The inflation system has been manufactured and tested by both the team and our Cool Gas Generator supplier SolidFlow. Another thing we can cross off the to-do list as everything functioned as intended! Our parachute system has also seen major developments and even underwent testing already.

No suborbital flight without an ejection, therefor we designed a completely custom ejection system. Which has since seen manufacturing and is now proudly displayed in our office, ready for its maiden voyage. With both the frame and nose cone being done, the mechanical subsystems are near full completion!!

The electronical department has also been busy, with almost all subsystems being completed. Once everything is integrated they will undergo thermal vacuum testing to assure functionality during the REXUS flight!

Keep an eye out for further updates!

Rymdstyrelsen , Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ESA - European Space Agency, SSC Space, ZARM

29/06/2026

Partnership Spotlight!🤝

🛰️Aetherspace X AISLER : Quick and affordable manufacturing for your Electronic Project🌩️

Aetherspace is happy to announce that we have established a new partnership with AISLER! Their support during this exciting year towards launch is highly appreciated. Giving us the means to develop the electronical systems for our satellite for the suborbital mission next year in March.

AISLER is a leading electronics manufacturing platform that simplifies modern hardware development by orchestrating the supply chain through data-driven algorithms. The company manufactures high-quality printed circuit boards within one business day, and offers assembly services within six business days, with worldwide shipping at competitive prices. By providing a centralized platform where engineers can manage native CAD projects, integrate component sourcing across major distributors, and receive instant feedback, AISLER eliminates manufacturing complexity so teams can focus on innovation rather than logistics.

On to many more years!

16/06/2026

Servus!!

Last week we presented our modular satellite to the panel of the Critical Design Review (CDR) at the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) in Öberpfaffenhofen for the REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students). This is an important step in the technical progress of our project as we are gearing up towards integrating the subsystems.

Besides the CDR, we got the opportunity to talk to numerous experts in different fields to further discuss the technical aspects of the satellite as well as information on the next few things that await us on this adventure towards launch with REXUS 37.

Things are becoming real, even our dreams.

Rymdstyrelsen, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ESA - European Space Agency, SSC Space, ZARM

01/06/2026

Terugblik op de STEM workshop: Astronautentraining🚀, die we een maand geleden gaven aan de leerlingen van Basisschool Ginderbuiten te Mol. Samen met Magics Technologies en brachten we de wondere wereld van STEM in de ruimtevaart naar hen toe.
Met deze initiatieven hope we de generaties van de toekomst warm te maken voor het vak!

Throwback to the STEM workshop: Astronauttraining🚀, we gave a month ago to the students of Basisschool Ginderbuiten in Mol. Together with Magics Technologies and we brought the wonderful world of STEM in space to them.
With these initiatives we hope to prepare the future generations for the field!

(Video by Thabo Xulu)

12/05/2026

With our Critical Design Review for the REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students) programme cycle 17 only a month away things are starting to become real!!

Our 🛠️mechanical🔩 department has been putting in the dirty work: lab visits, machining components, extensive tests... Even a manufacturing campaign abroad! Luckily we have something to show for now.

The nose cone has already entered production, with the frame and ejection system not lagging behind by much. The same can be said for the flexible heat shield🛡️, with its final assembly just around the corner it awaits rigoruous testing and verification. Ofcourse, the shield will have to be inflated🌬️ to stay stable during the re-entry back home, luckily this subsystem has also seen huge development in collaboration with Solidflow.

All these components will make sure the the satellite will remain structurally sound and stable so we can safely retrieve our data afterwards!

So keep an eye out for further updates!

Rymdstyrelsen, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), European Rugby Champions Cup, SSC Space, ZARM

11/05/2026

With the Critical Design Review for the REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students) programme cycle 17 only a month away🫣 things are starting to become real!!

Our🔌electronics🔌department has been working hard in the lab and the office to make sure the latest iteration of PCBs are functional and tested!! Our camera system has been proven to work and major strides have been made on our dual communication system📞!! We are already excited for the video's🎥 it will take during the sub-orbital mission!

With the GNSS subsystem coming closer to completion each day, our satellite can rest assured we will be able to locate it during its historic descent back to Earth. All of this powered by the 🔋battery🔋 system, making sure it will not run out of juice!!

So keep an eye out for further updates!

Rymdstyrelsen, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), ESA - European Space Agency, SSC Space, ZARM

07/05/2026

Ever seen a 🛰satellite🛰so small it could fit in a shoebox👞? What about a 🛰satellite🛰 that can travel from space back to Earth🌍?
No? Well, let us introduce ourselves!

Aether is a student team at KU Leuven supported by Technovation Hub currently developping a nanosatellite capable of performing small scale experiments in space and returning these back to Earth intact. This will be made possible through the flexible heat shield, protecting the satellite and the results from high temperatures🔥.

This year we are preparing a first, sub-orbital test flight with the REXUS/BEXUS (Rocket/Balloon Experiments for University Students) programme on REXUS cycle 17. Taking our spacecraft to the edge of space in 📅March 2027 on their sounding rocket! The programme is realised via a collaboration between Rymdstyrelsen (🇸🇪 Swedish National Space Agency), the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) (🇩🇪 German Space Agency) and the 🇪🇺 ESA - European Space Agency.

Follow the journey on our socials to see how we are working to make space more accessible!!

05/05/2026

Het enthiousiasme opwekken bij deze jonge generatie voor STEM en in het bijzonder de ruimte sector is een opdracht die we maar al te graag uitvoeren. Het is en blijft belangrijk om kinderen te laten zien wat voor opportuniteiten de ruimte industrie in België te bieden heeft en ze er warm voor te maken!! We blijven ons hier dan ook voor inzetten!! 🛰️🚀

Bedankt aan KU Leuven Campus Geel en Magics Technologies om dit mede mogelijk te maken!!🤝

Generating the enthusiasm of this young generation for STEM and in particular the space sector is a task that we are only too happy to carry out. It is and remains important to show children what opportunities the space industry in Belgium has to offer and to get them excited about it!! We will continue to work for this!! 🛰️🚀

Thank you KU Leuven Campus Geel and Magics Technologies for making this possible!!🤝

Bij basisschool Klim-op in Mol is de aftrap gegeven van “Missie STEM”. Met dit pilootproject slaan Magics Technologies en KU Leuven Campus Geel de handen in elkaar om wetenschaps- en technologie-opleidingen al op jonge leeftijd tastbaar en inspirerend te maken.

10/04/2026

Partnership Spotlight!🤝

🛰️Aetherspace X Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB)✈️

Aetherspace is happy to announce its collaboration with the Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB)! Within this collaboration, the assembly and manufacturing of the heat shield will be accomplished. Guided by their top level knowledge and equipment. Their support during this exciting year towards launch is highly appreciated.

The Institute of Aircraft Design is a branch of the University of Stuttgart, specialized in aerospace engineering. Years of experience in additive manufacturing, material characterisation but also fibre composite and textile technologies together with the necessary equipment make this a valuable center for aerospace research and development!