Paper Category: Constellation Design
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INTERNET PROTOCOL ROUTING IN CIS-LUNAR SPACE
Over the last five years, integrating space systems into the global Internet paradigm has advanced significantly. Space constellations and networks are now commonplace; however, current implementations remain limited to networks managed as single terrestrially orchestrated systems or orchestrated hybrid mixtures of interacting space networks. This centralized orchestration approach constrains autonomous operations, requires continuous ground station…
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Enabling Secure Maritime Connectivity: MAIV of the MICE-1 CubeSat Mission
The increasing reliance of Maritime IoT and Internet of Vessels (IoV) applications on satellite connectivity places stringent requirements not only on system architecture and communications performance, but also on the robustness, manufacturability, and verification of spaceborne platforms operating in demanding environments. In this context, nanosatellite missions targeting maritime services must balance tight mass, volume, and…
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Quantum Key Distribution for Secure LEO Satellite Constellations: A Scalable Protocol and Deployment Model
As global reliance on satellite communication networks intensifies, securing data links in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) becomes critical. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), particularly the BB84 protocol, offers provably secure encryption through the transmission of quantum states. However, practical deployment at constellation scale poses challenges, including limited pass durations over ground stations, atmospheric attenuation, and the…
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MediSat: A Secure Delay-Tolerant CubeSat Constellation for Medical Data Relay in Infrastructure-Degraded Environments
Reliable transmission of medical data during disasters and in remote regions remains a critical challenge due to damaged, congested, or nonexistent terrestrial communication infrastructure. This paper presents MediSat, a SmallSat-based system concept for secure, delay-tolerant relay of medical data using a constellation of CubeSats operating in low Earth orbit. The proposed architecture employs a store-and-forward…
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SPOCK: Enabling Cognitive Cloud Computing in Space for Low Latency Earth Observation
The SPOCK (Smart Processing Orbital Cloud Konstellation) initiative introduces novel constellation architecture concepts designed to enable Cognitive Cloud Computing in Space (3CS) capabilities addressing the growing demand for low-latency and high-performance data processing in Earth Observation (EO) missions. The project is currently being carried out by Indra and Aresys under ESA funding and follows up…
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Scaling Optical Inter-Satellite Networks for Resilient Smallsat Constella
As smallsat constellations transition from experimental deployments to operational infrastructure, network scalability, resilience, and secure data transport have become primary system-level constraints. RF-based crosslinks increasingly face spectrum congestion, limited throughput, and architectural complexity when applied at constellation scale. Optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) offer a compelling alternative, but successful deployment requires careful integration across spacecraft design,…
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Low SWaP Flight Board for High-Speed On-Board Data Handling, Processing and AI Inference
The continuous increase in payload data volume and mission autonomy requirements is driving the need for increasingly advanced on-board data handling and processing technologies in satellite systems. In particular, next-generation Earth observation, telecommunications, and distributed space architectures require high-performance processing capabilities to enable real-time data reduction, intelligent decision-making, and efficient use of downlink resources. Within…
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UDAN: A Compact Deployable UHF Antenna Enabling High-Gain Links for CubeSats
The miniaturization of satellite platforms has imposed severe constraints on antenna systems, particularly for UHF links requiring high gain and polarization robustness. To address these challenges, this contribution introduces UDAN, a deployable UHF antenna concept designed to significantly enhance communication capabilities of CubeSats and other small spacecraft while remaining compliant with standard launch and deployment…
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DANTE: A Spaceborne Radar Constellation for Debris Detection and Tracking
Space debris poses a growing threat to the sustainability and safety of space operations, with increasing collision risks for satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Current ground based radar systems are limited in detecting small objects leaving a critical gap in monitoring capabilities. This work introduces DANTE (Detection ANd Tracking of space dEbris), a spaceborne…
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CubeSat ISR Constellation Mission Tailoring
This paper presents a modelling framework for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) CubeSat constellation combining optical payload and Software Defined Radio (SDR). The concept satellite is 8-16U depending on the payload resolution and presence of warm-gas propulsion allowing for orbital changes and station keeping extending the operational time. Deployed in 500-km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), the…