A miniature cube-shaped satellite built by students from the University of Southampton has won the backing of the European Space Agency (ESA) in its bid to improve space debris models.

The UoS3 satellite, the result of a cross-university collaboration including group projects from the Department of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS), is one of just six projects chosen by ESA to receive expert support and access to test facilities as part of its educational Fly Your Satellite!programme.

If the satellite passes these stages it may then be eligible for a launch, making Southampton one of the first UK universities in space. The small satellite, or CubeSat, measuring just 10cm wide, was the only UK university project to win ESA support in the competition.

Students from ECS have contributed to power, controller and communications solutions for the satellite in Group Design Projects (GDP) supervised by Professor Rob Maunder, Professor Steve Gunn and Dr Alex Weddell since 2014, and continue to help the project through membership of the University of Southampton Spaceflight Society

Professor Rob Maunder, who led the GDP on the satellite telecommunications subsystem, says: The backing of the ESA is a fantastic development that recognises the significant progress of UoS3. This satellite is not only a demonstration of technical achievement, but also of successful project management. Its development has drawn upon more than 60 students and staff from various disciplines from across the University, which has required very careful coordination. The many students that have contributed to UoS3 will be rewarded with a great sense of accomplishment when all their efforts are launched into space.

Once launched, the satellite will orbit the Earth at a height of 400km and gather data that will be used to improve re-entry predictions for space objects.

During its year in orbit, students will monitor the satellite health and receive pictures and scientific data through a ground station. The data will be used to improve space debris models, for which the University is a recognised global leader.

Senior research assistant Clemens Rumpf, who started the project with former PhD student Aleksander Lidtke, adds: an amazing achievement and a great honour for the University to be one of just six projects chosen for the ESA Fly Your Satellite! programme. The opportunity to work on a real space mission has been an invaluable one for our students. CubeSat hold a significant potential to facilitate research across the University, and we are just starting to explore the possibilities this project is opening up for us in terms of research and collaboration.

Students in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton have demonstrated excellent satisfaction levels in the National Student Survey 2017 (NSS).

Data published from the highly-esteemed assessment places the department third for overall satisfaction out of all UK Higher Education Institutes. The NSS 2017 found that 99 per cent of Physics and Astronomy students were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of their course.

The strong NSS performance has been welcomed by senior leaders from the department and follows impressive previous results in the national survey.

Professor Jonathan Flynn, Head of Physics and Astronomy, says: “We are delighted to have such good results from the NSS again this year. Our students are the future and it's very important to us to give them the best possible environment to learn and develop.â€?

The National Student Survey has been conducted annually since 2005 by HEFCE and IpsosMori and asks final year undergraduates for feedback on their universities and courses. This year has seen substantial changes to the NSS, including the addition of three new sections that focus on the Student Voice, Learning Community and Learning Opportunities.

The NSS 2017 found that 91 per cent of Physics and Astronomy students were satisfied or very satisfied with the teaching of their course, with 99 per cent agreeing that they were able to contact staff when needed. 100 per cent of BSc Physics students agreed that staff have made the subject interesting, and that the course is intellectually stimulating. 92 per cent of BSc Physics students agreed that the IT resources and facilities have supported their learning well, while 98 per cent of Master of Physics students agreed that they have been able to access specialised equipment, facilities or rooms when needed.

Under Learning Opportunities, the NSS found that 93 per cent of Master of Physics students agreed that their course has provided them with opportunities to explore ideas or concepts in depth, with the same percentage agreeing that their course has provided them with opportunities to bring information and ideas together from different topics. The excellent results in Physics and Astronomy correspond with high scores from students studying Computer Science and Electronic and Electrical Engineering, two other subject areas taught within Southampton’s Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Professor Bashir Al-Hashimi, Dean of Physical Sciences and Engineering, says: “I’m delighted with these results which evidence that our faculty is providing the highest quality student experience and learning. We have plans to build further on this success to the benefit of our students and staff.â€?