Status of the QB50 cubesat constellation mission

Cubesats have emerged as powerful tools for a new class of space missions that is recognized by academia and the space industry. They have served many objectives but are mainly used to educate young space engineers through hands-on design and manufacturing experience. The QB50 project aims to use the cubesat concept to further facilitate access to space for future generations, to carry out unprecedented science, to demonstrate new space technologies, and train young engineers. To this end, the Project, coordinated by the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in Belgium, has invited universities from all over the world to submit proposals for cubesats to be embarked on the mission. The QB50 Consortium is managing the mission. In particular, it is developing the deployment system and the common sensors that will be placed on all scientific satellites, and procures the launch service. In addition, it provides a number of key technologies and services such as an attitude control system and satellite control software for the teams participating in the project. This article introduces the project, describes the technologies develope, the management approach taken and summarizes the current status.