Agnirva Space Premier League - Expedition #31175: KRAKsat: Testing Liquid-Metal Attitude Control in Space

KRAKsat is more than just a satellite—it’s a leap into the future of spacecraft maneuverability. Created by students from AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow, in collaboration with SatRevolution S.A., this compact CubeSat was deployed during Expedition 59/60 aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

At the heart of KRAKsat lies a revolutionary idea: using a ferrofluid—a liquid that becomes magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field—for attitude control. Traditional satellites use reaction wheels or gas thrusters to orient themselves. KRAKsat, however, uses the motion of magnetized liquid inside a spherical chamber. The flow of this liquid, controlled by electromagnets, allows the satellite to rotate and adjust its position.

The technology offers huge advantages. It’s compact, energy-efficient, and contains no moving mechanical parts that could wear out. KRAKsat’s mission was to validate this control mechanism in microgravity, providing critical data that could influence the design of future nanosatellites.

During its mission, KRAKsat demonstrated stable behavior and responded predictably to commands. The performance of the ferrofluid control system in space was logged and analyzed, showing that liquid-based control is not only feasible but also promising.

The success of this student-led mission shows the growing role of universities in space innovation. It also highlights the ISS as a powerful incubator for new space technologies. For students and aspiring engineers, KRAKsat is a reminder that groundbreaking space missions can start in the classroom.

This experiment is not just about testing new tech—it’s about reshaping how we think about spacecraft design, inspiring a new generation of space engineers to build smarter, smaller, and more efficient space systems.

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