Paper Category: Experimental
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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Satellite-as-a-Service: A Cybersecurity Perspective
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…
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High-Speed Optical Communications for CubeSats: End-to-End Terminal Demonstration and BER Performance Characterisation
Free-space optical communication (FSOC) is increasingly considered for small satellites because it can provide significantly higher data rates than RF while remaining compatible with strict size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. This capability is attractive for Earth-observation and science missions where downlink volume is a limiting factor. Despite this potential, CubeSat-class optical terminals are challenging…
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Development and On-Orbit Operation of a Reliable CubeSat Platform for Testing Korean-Manufactured EEE Parts: EEETester
The Republic of Korea has been actively promoting the development of domestically manufactured electronic components, including semiconductor memory devices as well as active and passive components, through sustained national R&D initiatives. Despite this progress, the adoption of these components in space missions has been limited due to insufficient space heritage. In contrast, spacecraft subsystems utilizing…
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KLARA: A Miniaturized, Low-Cost Re-Entry Capsule
KLARA is a miniaturized, low-cost re-entry capsule designed to capture critical aerothermodynamic and attitude data from satellites during atmospheric re-entry. By leveraging an iterative test-driven approach and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, KLARA aims to optimize performance while minimizing costs, paving the way for more accessible space debris monitoring and re-entry studies. Iterative Development Approach Inspired…
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NarSha – Korea’s First Spaceborne Methane Monitoring Mission Using a Hyperspectral Microsatellite Constellation
Methane (CH₄) is a significant driver of climate change, responsible for approximately 30% of global warming since industrialization and exhibiting a global warming potential over 80 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂) on a 20-year timescale. Despite its impact, methane emissions remain highly uncertain due to systematic underreporting, particularly in the oil and…
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Lesson Learned in the Operation of a CubeSat ADCS in the Presence of Sensor Anomaly
Small satellites and CubeSats often employ commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components to achieve cost effectiveness, but these components are prone to anomalies that may jeopardize mission success. It is thus desired to learn from operational experience for continuous improvement. In the paper, lessons learned from the operation of the Lilium-1 CubeSat attitude determination and control subsystem…