Case Study: Tallinn University of Technology achieves Estonia’s first satellite launch with SolidWorks Education Edition

Launching estonia’s first satellite with SOLIDWORKS Education Edition

Tallinn University of Technology led a multi‑university student team to design and build ESTCube‑1, Estonia’s first satellite, to perform proof‑of‑concept testing of an electric solar wind sail. The project required an easy‑to‑learn, collaborative 3D CAD platform to develop parts, assemblies and production drawings and to coordinate with research and manufacturing partners, so the team adopted SolidWorks Education Edition.

Using SolidWorks Education Edition, students created all CAD models and production drawings, shared parts and assemblies with partners via eDrawings and photorealistic renderings, and streamlined communications with payload developers and manufacturers. SolidWorks enabled smoother collaboration and model exchange and helped deliver the 10×10×10 cm, 1.05 kg ESTCube‑1 satellite, which launched into orbit on May 7, 2013, to validate the electric solar wind sail concept.

Tallinn University of Technology

Paul Liias

ESTCube Structure and Mechanics Subsystem Manager