‘Success is in the journey, but the reward is the view from the top.’ - Larry Stevens

 Perth Aerospace Student Team (PAST), at Curtin University, is run by undergraduates under the supervision of the Binar Space Program which is part of the Space Science and Technology Centre. PAST’s focus is on upskilling students as they develop a CubeSat (cubic satellite). These students are from many disciplines, but there is one thing they all have in common: they are eager to press forward and make scientific discoveries. There are many steps on the journey PAST is taking to ensure the future launch of their own satellite. One of the most exciting steps toward this goal is the launch of Stratos, PAST’s HAB.

What is a High Altitude Balloon (HAB)

Imagine a large balloon that is filled with lifting gas, such as helium or hydrogen. It has a tiny basket loaded with precision electronic equipment, already operating. The balloon floats up, up and away to the cold edge of space. This balloon is made from durable materials for handling extreme conditions. It dangles for a moment, suspended between the Earth and outer space, and then, it falls back to Earth, bursting on the way down. That is a HAB.

Why a HAB for PAST?

HABs give scientists, engineers, researchers and enthusiasts a unique opportunity to test equipment and gather data in near space environments. PAST’s aim is to one day launch their own CubeSat. Launching a payload prepared HAB makes sense as the students will have the chance to test their equipment, both on-the-ground and in-the-air. The students will gain real-world experience in mission-operations, along with validating their subsystems, such as communications, power and sensors, prior to launching their very first CubeSat. Furthermore, PAST also opened payload slots on Stratos to high school students who have been working on the BinarX program at Curtin University.

From HABathon to Habitat

The brilliant team at PAST is nothing, if not diligent. From October 2024, conception occurred, where the team realised that to have their child, the CubeSat, they would need a prototype, which is the embryo, Stratos, a HAB. The team began designing the HAB, along with what it would do and how it would do this. Race forward in time to March 2025, where software development started and the team began fabricating vital hardware components. Add to that, the team witnessed the launch of Pyromanits, another famous Curtin HAB. In the middle of the year, the team developed subsystems, refining both payload and hardware through rigorous iteration. Since July, PAST has been testing and integrating systems and subsystems for an upcoming launch at the end of the year.

The Departments of PAST

The hum of thrumming equipment, murmur of keys clacking and buzzing of voices fills a distant room on Curtin campus every week. These students are part of the team that makes up PAST. However, each student is also a member of a department which focuses on one aspect of the HAB. There are six teams that make up PAST, each with a myriad of amazing students with blazing minds and shimmering personalities.

• Avionics: looks after designing, developing and testing electronic systems.

• Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS): works on all the system design, software and hardware to determine and control the orientation of the HAB.

• Mechanical: performs the designing of all mechanical and structural systems.

• Software: specialises in HAB flight software and/or Ground Station software.

• Marketing: strategically promotes our projects and ensuring the achievements are recognised.

• Human Resources (HR): is responsible for supporting the learning and development of PAST members, and the team recruitment and onboarding, organising events and outreach.

Hardware

Hardware is the bones of a project. Avionics, ADCS and Mechanical make up these bones of Stratos, so that the HAB can do what it needs to. All these components, except for the HAB chassis, are to become a part of the future CubeSat.

Avionics

• Functional Integration Shield for HAB (FISH): FISH integrates all the components for the HAB launch.

• GNSS Location and Beaconing(GLoBe): Keeps track of where the HAB is.

• LoRa (Long Range): This is the COTS radio communication subsystem for the HAB.

• STARCOMM: STARCOMM allows PAST to communicate with the HAB.

• FRIED (Flight Recorder): The little black box of Stratos is an independent telemetry backup system with ESP32 camera and crumple-zone housing.

ADCS

• Stratos Cam: A functioning flight camera that takes videos while in flight.

• OSIRIS: Finds the sun. Determines where the sun is relative to the HAB

Mechanical

• HAB Chassis: This is the frame of the Stratos that holds all the hardware.

Software

Hardware, like bones, are an important part of a body. Without the software, or brains, the body won’t do what it should. The software department oversees coding the software, loading it onto the hardware and runs pre-flight tests to ensure that the software works.

• HAB Ground Station: This is the link between the team and Stratos so that they can communicate.

• Subsystem integration with Avionics:

• STARCOMM and LoRa communication protocols

• Command protocols for FISH

T - * and counting

Stratos is ready to rise. The current plan is to head out to the Merredin Aeromodellers Club, a quiet Wheatbelt location with open skies and reliable conditions that make it an ideal launch site. The team will confirm the schedule once the forecasts and logistics line up, with the current launch date set for the morning of December 6th.

Launch location of Stratos - Merredin Aeromodellers