Paper Category: Experimental
-
Resolving Sgr A* at 86 GHz using T-REX: Time-Resolving Explorer Satellite
We present T-REX: The Time-Resolving Explorer Satellite, a mission concept for a low-Earth-orbit (LEO) small satellite (M~85kg, P~1kW, >$50M) designed to explore the feasibility of millimeter-wave very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) from space. T-REX will operate at 86 GHz and seeks to achieve a temporal resolution of 22.5 minutes, enabling minute-scale sampling of the light…
-
Ensuring Orbital Safety from T-0: The Critical Imperative for Immediate Post-Launch Collision Avoidance
As the density of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment increases, driven by frequent rideshare missions and the deployment of mega-constellations, the initial phase of satellite operations has emerged as a period of heightened orbital risk. Historically, collision avoidance (COLA) processes have relied on established tracking by Space Situational Awareness (SSA) providers. However, this study…
-
RF Interference Mitigation for Dual S-Band Links on a 6U CubeSat: Preliminary Hardware Validation
This paper presents the RF communication system architecture and preliminary hardware validation for the ALIGN (Autonomous Laser-based Inter-satellite Gigabit Network) mission, comprising a pair of 6U CubeSats equipped with FOCUS (Free-space Optical Communications Unit for Space), an experimental payload demonstrating high-data-rate optical inter-satellite links in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Each platform features co-located S-band Radio…
-
In-Orbit Experimental Validation of Autonomous Operations within the AIX Satellite-as-a-Service Framework
As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations continue to scale, traditional ground-centric operational paradigms struggle to meet increasing demands in latency, flexibility, and operational cost. The AIX (AI-eXpress) mission series addresses these limitations by introducing a service-oriented satellite architecture that enables dynamic in-orbit resource usage and application deployment. This paper presents the in-orbit experimental activities of…
-
CleanCube: A Zero Debris CubeSat Platform
Following a pre-phase A study to assess the feasibility of CubeSats being compliant to various space debris mitigation rules, ISISPACE is engaging into the Phase A work for a proposed a 12U IOD/IOV CubeSat mission “CleanCube”. The project is part of ESA’s OSIP initiatives to demonstrate the technologies that can provide compliance to stricter space…
-
Autonomous FSM Architecture for Commissioning and Differential Drag Control in CubeSat Formations
The operational success of inter-satellite laser link (ISL) missions in CubeSat constellations depends on the strict management of conflicting requirements: energy harvesting, high-precision payload targeting, and orbital maintenance. This paper presents an automated onboard mission logic designed to manage the relative distance of a two-satellite 6U in formation flight (ranging from 100 km to 1000…
-
AI-Based Navigation for Lunar Satellites in VLLO
This paper presents the design and preliminary validation of the Lunar Intelligent Navigation via Neural Architecture (LINNA) payload, a technology demonstration integrated into the SelenITA mission—Brazil’s first lunar CubeSat. The experiment is motivated by the future needs for autonomous state estimation in the Very Low Lunar Orbit (VLLO) regime, where Mascon-induced gravitational anomalies challenge traditional…
-
LISAT-01: A Student Nanosatellite for Maritime Monitoring
LISAT-01 is a student-led nanosatellite mission developed in Portugal with the purpose of supporting maritime monitoring activities within the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone and Search and Rescue Region. The mission focuses on the integration and validation of Automatic Identification System (AIS) data reception from space, contributing to improved situational awareness in maritime surveillance contexts. The…
-
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…
-
Cybersecurity Approach for Multi-Tenant Small Satellites
Satellite-as-a-Service (SataaS) provides users with access to satellite capabilities without requiring ownership or direct operation of space assets. This paradigm enables the deployment and execution of applications in orbit without the need for custom hardware or dedicated missions, significantly lowering the entry barrier to space. In addition, SataaS supports rapid in-orbit experimentation, even for applications…