OSCAR: 10 years that fly

What began a decade ago as an ambitious, student-led idea at UHasselt has evolved into a groundbreaking journey in quantum technology and space research. This year proudly marks the 10th anniversary of team OSCAR. A project that has grown from launching experiments on stratospheric balloons to deploying diamond-based quantum sensors aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the European Space Agency (ESA) and soaring into orbit on the inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 rocket.

To honor this milestone, researchers, industry partners, alumni and supporters recently gathered at Corda Campus for an afternoon of reflection, networking and fruitful discussions. The anniversary event brought together multiple generations of OSCAR team members, each sharing their unique perspective: from nostalgia over early triumphs to excitement for upcoming launches. Over the past decade, more than 100 students and researchers from diverse disciplines have contributed to the project, each playing a vital role in building the initiative into what it is today.

Looking ahead, OSCAR’s trajectory shows no signs of slowing down. With multiple ongoing projects, expanding space missions and a new generation of students joining for the upcoming academic year, the team continues to push the boundaries of quantum sensing in space.

IUMAT extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the celebration, to UHasselt for providing the foundation for these endeavors and to every partner and supporter who has been part of the OSCAR journey over the last ten years. Here’s to the next decade of discovery!