Paper Category: Space Science
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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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Characterising Space Weather Risks for LEO SmallSats Using the ESA Space Weather Service Network.
SmallSat missions in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) operate in an environment that can change rapidly in response to space weather. Limited design margins, growing levels of autonomy, and the increasing number of satellites in orbit make it essential for operators to understand and anticipate space weather–driven risks. This paper focuses on three operationally significant categories:…
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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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Design and Analysis of a Composite Satellite Bus for VLEO Applications
The increasing interest in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) missions has highlighted the need for lightweight satellite structures capable of withstanding demanding launch and operational environments. The main objective of this research focused on the development and structural validation, by finite element method (FEM) analysis, of a composite dominated microsatellite bus architecture suitable for VLEO…
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Mitigation of Penalties on Clustered Hall Thrusters
Hall-effect thrusters are the most common form of applied Electric Propulsion technology and are being increasingly used in SmallSat missions. Clustering Hall-effect thrusters is a developing approach used to achieve higher thruster density and redundancy on small satellite platforms, but close-proximity operation between thrusters can introduce plume-plume interactions that degrade performance. This paper presents a…
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Optimizing Radiation Test Fluence Requirements via Inverse Reliability Analysis: A Mission-Specific Approach
Standard radiation hardness assurance methodologies typically rely on generic, static test fluences (10^7 ions/cm^2) to screen for Destructive Single Event Effects (DSEE). While robust, this “one-size-fits-all” approach often results in costly over-testing. This paper proposes a paradigm shift in test planning, moving from directive-based compliance to a logical, mission-specific derivation of requirements. We present an…
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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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Comparative Analysis of ST-100 and ST-100M Hall Thruster Prototypes for Mission-Specific Applications
This study provides a comparative assessment of the ST-100 Hall-effect thruster and its magnetically shielded counterpart, the ST-100M, designed to enhance longevity by minimizing channel wall erosion. Erosion of dielectric channel walls remains a critical limitation for thruster operational life. The ST-100M incorporates an optimized magnetic topology, developed using ANSYS Maxwell simulations, to deflect ion…
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From Structure to System: Multifunctional 3D-Printed Satellite Architectures
Additive manufacturing offers significant potential for the development of highly integrated and cost-effective satellite structures. This research aims to evaluate the viability of monolithic 3D-printed satellite structures for space applications, with a focus on integrating mechanical supports, electrical routing, and electronic functionalities directly into the primary structure. By leveraging the monolithic nature of additive manufacturing,…
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Space weather forecasting using SARIMA
Solar fluxes and geomagnetic activity influence the temperature of the air, and consequently the density. These phenomena are hard to predict because of their highly nonlinear and stochastic nature. However, they have significant effects on LEO space missions and orbital decay time estimations, since air drag is one of the major perturbations in this region.…