Lesjöfors springs in student space project

A group of students at the Royal Institute of Technology, KTH, has over 1.5 years worked on an experiment for the student rocket REXUS 10. REXUS/BEXUS gives every year students from various European universities the chance to get selected to perform a space experiment. The program is a partnership between the German DLR, the Swedish National Space Board (SNSB), the European Space Agency ESA and Eurolaunch. This year, the launch will take place on February 24th from Esrange in Kiruna.

Auroras are to be studied
A spinning probe called FFU (Free Flying Unit), will be released from the rocket and extend four wire booms with spherical probes that measures electromagnetic fields in the ionosphere, 90 kilometres up in space. Among other things, auroras will be studied. FFU is mounted on the rocket through the RMU (Rocket Mounted Unit), these two together constitute the SQUID experiment.

Springs important components
The probe contains critical components from Lesjöfors. A wave spring is used in the ejection of the probe from the rocket. When the probe has done its work and is on its way back to Earth, there are two compression springs to ensure that the probe's parachute is triggered. An intact parachute is important so that the probe and the information stored are not destroyed on landing.

Extensive testing
The springs are custom made by Lesjöfors and have been tested thoroughly to live up to the high demands of strength and spring properties. On the project's blog you can read about and see some of the tests performed: http://squidkth.wordpress.com/2010/11/25/ejection-testing-night/

Sponsored wave springs and compression springs
Lesjöfors has sponsored the project with the springs.
“We are very pleased with the assistance we have received from Lesjöfors with advice, good products and fast deliveries" says David Bergman, one of the students in the SQUID team that soon will be ready at the launching ramp in Kiruna.