Donations can be transferred to the following account in Austria:

Recipient: Graz University of Technology
Account No.: 51656101802
Payment purpose: BRITE-Constellation
IBAN: AT691200051656101802
BIC: BKAUATWW

Receipts or invoices can be issued on request.

The Triumph of BRITE-Constellation, yet Impending End

In absolute terms, the problem is small (5000 euros per month for two years), but without this relatively modest sum, the first ever CubeSat-class astronomical research satellites are facing a premature end after investments in the construction and operation totaling well over 6 million euros. Since 2013, this fleet of five identical satellites, called BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation, has been providing forefront astronomical photometric data to the international research community. But operations are fundamentally at risk for budgetary reasons, and quick help is needed because, under UN space law, satellites that are not operated, e.g. because public funding has run out, must be irrevocably shut down, even if they are still functioning. New financing must therefore be put in place to prevent this disaster.

1. The research potential of BRITE-Constellation:

Stars are opaque – but their insides are important to understand. This is similar to material testing, especially when it concerns components that must not be disassembled or damaged. A proven method for this is vibration tests, which also works for stars. Stars vibrate (pulsate) naturally, and all that is required is to “listen” carefully to them. The listening is done photometrically, and the measurements of the tiny brightness changes require the use of satellites (e.g. BRITE-Constellation) to produce very long series of measurements with few interruptions, as well as to avoid perturbations caused by the Earth’s atmosphere.

2. The threat to BRITE-Constellation:

Due to the fact that national funding of BRITE operations has ended in some areas, the BRITE team asks for crowd funding of BRITE operations to keep the satellites operational, maintain the expertise and continue to collect highly valuable science data.

3. Facts about the history of BRITE- Constellation:

A concept for small satellites (CubeSats) in 2002 was finally realized in 2012 by the construction of “BRITE-Constellation”, marking the first successful use of nanosatellites in astronomical research. Previously, such dwarf satellites were only used for testing technological components in space, student training and Earth-atmosphere studies, but with a sufficient three-axis stabilization not yet available. This problem was solved by the Canadian industry partner with the development of stabilizers based on miniaturized gyros and magnetic field sensors. This development has meanwhile triggered a veritable worldwide boom in dwarf satellites.

Collaborating astrophysicists in Austria, Canada and Poland achieved funding for one pair of CubeSats in each country for precision time-dependent photometry. That was the birth of BRITE-Constellation. Meanwhile, research results based on BRITE precision photometry have been published in 215 publications in international journals and at conferences in Europe, Canada and USA. One year after the measurements are acquired, the data are also made available to the worldwide scientific community.

4. Saving BRITE-Constellation

Continued operation of BRITE-Constellation is now only possible through individual contributions from supporters. Our hopes for the future of BRITE-Constellation rest on two pillars: First, to explore the administrative, legal and budgetary aspects of crowdsponsoring. Second, we are approaching corporations directly for donations. Even relatively small contributions can give the mission a significant boost. As a bonus, we offer that this support will be highlighted in our PR articles, as well as appearing prominently on our website.

We ask for favourable consideration of our request. Your help will be crucial for the continuation of a very successful research programme in space with international visibility. We are grateful that you are concerned with this issue and would be very happy to answer any questions you may have.

We kindly ask you to transfer donations to the following account in Austria:

Recipient: Graz University of Technology
Account No.: 51656101802
Payment purpose: BRITE-Constellation
IBAN: AT691200051656101802
BIC: BKAUATWW

Bills can be issued on request.

5. Media coverage:

Examples of the remarkable media response of BRITE-Constellation are:

Weltraum-Premiere für Österreich, Erstmals komplette Nova vom Ausbruch bis zum Ausglühen beobachtet, Polarsternpreis 2014, Sternbeobachter treffen sich in Innsbruck, Fünf Würfel auf Sternmission, BRITE-Austria and field in Orion, Die Universität Wien im Weltraum, Astrophysik: Am Puls der Sterne

Download

You can download this information here.

A German version of this information is available for download here.