Space@OST

The path to space begins with fascination: It is our aim to enable students interested in space travel to come into contact with the space industry during their education. In this way, they engage with the realities and requirements of such projects at an early stage. Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST) is part of the national network in the space sector for universities. The network includes ARIS, Space Campus, and Space Innovation. 

Many of our projects are implemented together with companies from the sector. It is also possible to collaborate with ARIS, the Academic Space Initiative Switzerland. In this case, our students work closely together with students from ETH Zurich. At the same time, the OST Rocket Team is building up its own area of expertise. The students themselves determine the goal.

Projects are carried out independently as semester or bachelor thesis. It is also possible to conduct a project paper as part of the MSE master's degree program. Space@OST is aimed at students from all three OST campuses;  is submitted in the following degree programs:

• Mechanical Engineering and Innovation

• Mechatronics

• Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Industrial Engineering and Management

As an interdisciplinary platform, Space@OST unites the skills that our institutes have in the field of space technology.

Several OST students have been working on the parachutes of research rockets, the ejection system, and the shock load reduction. The primary goal of these projects is to develop a system that makes the rockets as easy and quick to use as possible. Among other things, novel materials were used for this purpose. The Rocket Team at OST works closely with the textile industry in Eastern Switzerland. Various methods of reefing and a lateral ejection system were also developed and tested. The IPEK Institute for Product Design, Development and Construction supports the students, among others.

IPEK

The ICOM Institute for Communication Systems has much experience with today's positioning (PNT) or communication (SATCOM) developments. This experience has resulted in early projects with ETH, such as the CubeSat, and various orders from the industry for positioning systems. 
Added to this is ICOM's expertise in antenna development, which is relevant for space travel. A competent team combines both the expertise and the requisite laboratories to translate cutting-edge developments into collaboration with the industry.

ICOM

In materials development, the IWK Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing has a high level of expertise in lightweight construction. In the well-equipped laboratory in the Techpark, materials can be developed and tested for use in space travel. A small, dynamic team combines theoretical models with practical implementation.

IWK