Paper Category: Engineering
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Integrated Cyberattack Detection for Satellites
Next-generation satellites are evolving into highly interconnected cyber-physical platforms, where heterogeneous subsystems, widespread adoption of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, and emerging multi-tenant payload paradigms fundamentally reshape the spacecraft threat landscape. These trends erode traditional trust assumptions and necessitate autonomous onboard cybersecurity mechanisms capable of detecting, localising, and mitigating attacks without reliance on continuous ground intervention.…
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Payload Data Delivery Solutions and Optimisation for GSaaS Operations
As satellite constellations grow in scale and diversity, efficient payload data delivery has become a critical bottleneck in Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS) architectures. This paper investigates various payload data delivery methods and presents optimisation strategies tailored to operational requirements and mission profiles. We systematically analyze multiple delivery paradigms including real-time streaming protocols (TCP/IP,…
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Progressive Radiation Hardness Assurance for COTS SmallSat Avionics Beyond LEO
As SmallSat missions extend beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO), traditional Radiation Hardness Assurance (RHA) approaches based on linear qualification workflows are increasingly mismatched with Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS)-based avionics programmes. This paper presents a progressive RHA methodology applied to photonic and electronic avionics that treats radiation assurance as an iterative design activity. The methodology is grounded in…
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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…
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Agile Earth Observation Under Operational Constraints: CMG vs Reaction-Wheel ACS
As small commercial Earth Observation constellations expand, operators strive to collect more data and increase value per spacecraft while maintaining low costs and deployment times. In this context, spacecraft agility is often overlooked in constellation design: how quickly a satellite can rotate and then meet pointing requirements largely sets how many targets it can image…
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Hybrid Post-Quantum + Classical Secure Boot for SmallSat Avionics: ML-DSA/ECC Firmware Authentication with Fail-Safe Updates
Satellites are often expected to operate unattended for years while still receiving security and safety updates. Long mission lifetimes also increase exposure to future cryptanalytic advances, including large-scale quantum attacks against today’s signature schemes. We present a hybrid secure-boot and firmware-authentication design aligned with IETF RFC 9019, where the bootloader acts as the firmware verifier.…
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Miniature Mechanically Pumped Loop for Standardized Small-Satellite Thermal Control: In-Orbit Demonstration Model Development and Qualification
With the rapid growth of the space economy, the demand for increasingly high-performance satellites has risen significantly. The need for increased performance is typically accompanied by higher power consumption, leading to elevated heat generation and challenging thermal environments onboard spacecraft, particularly for small satellites with limited thermal margins. As a result, new thermal control concepts…
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Design, prototyping and mechanical testing of a trifilar deployable helix antenna for CubeSat applications
Deployable helical antennas are often used in space in the VHF and UHF transmission bands because they provide high gain, large bandwidth, and high directivity with circular polarization while maintaining relatively low fabrication complexity. Usually, these deployable antennas are composed of a main foldable, non-conducting isolated structure which acts as the helicoid support for the…
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Predictive MPPT AI algorithm for fast response during tumbling conditions
Efficient power harvesting for small satellites is critical for mission success, especially during the initial detumbling phase and in case of attitude control anomalies. In these scenarios, the illumination conditions of the solar panels can vary at high frequency, and conventional Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques may struggle to reach a point of good…
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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…