Six University of Warwick students are are showcasing their very own satellite, set to provide carefully controlled conditions for scientist to measure how worms function and reproduce in zero gravity.

Members of the university's satellite engineering team (WUSAT) are travelling to the European Space Agency's (ESA) learning facility in Redu. At the event, they will highlight their latest research project, developing a satellite that will be used to house microscopic worms in space.

The group is working on a low earth orbit satellite known as a Cubesat, which will enable scientists at the University of Exeter to monitor activity of the worms in controlled conditions.

They will also investigate the ability of the worms to reproduce and continue to provide biomass during a remote space mission.

The project is a precursor to a future deep space mission.

WUSAT provides engineering students from different disciplines the opportunity to design, build and launch their own satellite. WUSAT has hosted several ground-breaking projects – from helping to launch a moon-orbiting satellite, achieving the first successful ejected satellite mission, and even using satellites to track electronically tagged wildlife from space.

The satelitte will help scientists measure how worms function and reproduce in zero gravity (image via University of Warwick)

Seb Fieldhouse, fourth year student on the WUSAT team, said: "Working on the satellite has been a brilliant opportunity; I've learnt so much about space systems engineering.

"Being part of WUSAT has also opened up a lot of opportunities. We visited engineering facilities at Airbus and now, because of our work on WUSAT, we have the chance to learn satellite systems engineering from the very best at ESA.

"I'm very excited to go to Belgium to learn from the experts at ESA – it's a great chance to develop my skills as an engineer."

Dr William Crofts has led the WUSAT programme for the past 17 years, since it launched in 2006.

He said: "The opportunity for the student team to spend time on related Concurrent Engineering training with ESA staff and facilities in Belgium is just one example of the unique opportunities that WUSAT has provided for many students over the past 17 years.

"These students will learn an enormous amount about how complex engineering projects are designed and managed, while receiving a tremendous boost to their CVs!

"They'll represent the University of Warwick in a European showcase event and highlight both the quality of our students and the real-world applications of engineering with WUSAT. We're really proud to have ESA's endorsement and support in these projects."