⭐It finally happened!⭐
Last week the next iteration of our quantum diamond magnetometer, OSCAR-QUBE launched into space as part of the ESA YPSAT mission aboard the maiden flight of Ariane 6 - Europe’s biggest rocket yet! 🚀
Our new and improved device is more sensitive, smaller, and lighter than its predecessor. The quantum sensor developed by our interdisciplinary student team was tested as the scientific payload for ESA’s YPSAT. While working closely together with the ESA YP’s over the last two years, we grew a lot as a team allowing more UHasselt students to step into space and quantum research. 🧑🎓
To celebrate this milestone, we organized a watch party at Hasselt University, featuring inspiring talks in line with the OSCAR journey by our rector Bernard Vanheusden, imo-imomec director Marlies Van Bael, and representatives from POM Limburg Maxime Corvilain and YPSAT Melek Tapmaz. 🎤
Two team members had the opportunity to watch the launch from two different ESA sites, providing us with live updates and interviews. Joren Verdyck at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, and Simon Wilmots at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Germany. 🔭📡
The highlight of the evening was the surreal moment of standing in front of the big screen, surrounded by the team, and watching the roaring rocket ascend with the device we worked hard on together. This culmination of two years of teamwork and dedication resulted in a device that survived the launch and measured scientific data along the Ariane 6 trajectory for us to analyze. 🛰️📉
This achievement was celebrated afterwards at the networking reception where we managed to bring together each OSCAR generation and some of the people who have supported us throughout this ongoing journey, full of challenges and supraises! A special thanks to Julien Krompholtz, Tuur Strobbe and the entire YPSAT team for this incredible ride! It was amazing to witness what young professionals can achieve when working together towards a common goal, and thank you for sharing this unique opportunity with our student team and inspiring the next generations to dream of space! 🌌
The entire team is excited to push this success to new heights with the upcoming OSCAR-PINQ, which will fly onboard the ESA Space Rider. Stay tuned and let’s see what the future of space magnetometry holds! 💫
#OSCARQUBE #OSCARPINQ #YPSAT #IMOMEC #UHASSELT #QUANTUM #ARIANE6 #MAGNETOMETRY #ESA #POMLIMBURG #ESTEC #ESOC