NewSpace Gravity Mission: Type II Concept

SENSORIS Mission to Map Earth’s Gravity Field with NewSpace Technology

A new research mission, SENSORIS, aims to revolutionize gravity field measurement using a faster, cheaper, and more flexible approach known as NewSpace technology. The project, a collaboration between the Institute of Aerospace technology at Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the Center for Applied space Technology and Microgravity at the University of Bremen, received a €72,742.62 grant from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) via the German Space Agency at DLR.

Pioneering Gravity Mapping with NewSpace

The SENSORIS mission, whose name is derived from the Latin word mensoris meaning “the surveyors,” seeks to provide critical data for a range of applications, including scientific research, national security, and resource management. Currently,mapping the Earth’s gravity field is a complex and often expensive undertaking. This new initiative promises to disrupt conventional methods by leveraging the principles of NewSpace – a philosophy emphasizing innovation, cost-effectiveness, and rapid deployment in the space sector.

“The goal is to acquire data more efficiently and at a lower cost than current methods allow,” a senior official stated.

Did you know? – NewSpace is a movement that aims to lower the financial and technological barriers to space exploration, often utilizing smaller satellites and private funding.

Project Details and Timeline

Led by Prof. dr. Antonio Francisco García Marín, the project will be implemented by Faculty 5 of Bremen University of Applied Sciences. The initial phase, a nine-month feasibility study, will focus on the design and evaluation of the mission’s core components. The study, already underway, is fully funded by the German Space Agency at DLR.

The mission benefits from the support of the DLR – Institute for Satellite Geodesy and Inertial Sensors, adding significant expertise to the project. The overall project duration is scheduled from December 2025 to august 2026.

Pro tip: – Gravity field mapping is crucial for understanding Earth’s mass distribution, which impacts everything from ocean currents to satellite orbits.

Implications for Research and Beyond

The potential impact of SENSORIS extends beyond purely academic pursuits. More accurate and readily available gravity field data can enhance our understanding of Earth’s internal structure, improve the precision of satellite navigation systems, and aid in the discovery of natural resources. Furthermore, the technology developed through this project could have implications for monitoring changes in ice sheets and sea levels, contributing to climate change research.

The project represents a significant investment in the future of aerospace technology and underscores Germany’s commitment to innovation in the space sector. The successful completion of the feasibility study will pave the way for a full-scale mission,possibly transforming how we understand and interact with our planet.

Reader question: – How might more accessible gravity data impact everyday technologies we rely on, like GPS? What are your thoughts?

Why: The SENSORIS mission was launched to address the high cost and complexity of traditional gravity field mapping. Researchers aim to provide more efficient and affordable data acquisition for various applications.

Who: the project is a collaboration between the Institute of Aerospace Technology at Bremen University of Applied Sciences and the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity at the University of Bremen, led by Prof. Dr. Antonio Francisco García Marín. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) via the German Space Agency at DLR.

What: SENSORIS is a research mission utilizing NewSpace technology to map Earth’s gravity field. The initial phase is a nine-month feasibility study, with the overall project scheduled from December 2025 to August 2026.

How did it end? As of this report, the