EUROPE’S LARGEST SMALLSAT CONFERENCE

May 26-28, 2026 | RAI, Amsterdam

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Paper Category: Technology

  • Quantized AI Inference on Constrained Embedded Platforms for Small-Satellite Settings

    In resource-constrained small-satellite settings, AI inference can operate under tight size, power, and payload budgets, which tend to limit onboard compute capability and data handling. These conditions motivate establishing a clear baseline for quantized AI inference under bounded compute and memory resources. To instantiate this baseline, a representative embedded-vision neural-network workload serves as the reference…

  • WAVE-XS: Water-Based Micropropulsion for Smallsats

    Europe’s rapid smallsat scaling is increasing demand for propulsion that is safe to handle, simple to integrate, and operationally useful across the full mission lifecycle—including collision-avoidance maneuvers and end-of-life deorbit. This paper presents WAVE-XS, a water-centered micropropulsion architecture for CubeSats and small spacecraft that uses stored liquid water as the only consumable and converts it…

  • 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 performed…

  • 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…

  • No Test, No Launch — Test Infrastructure as a Critical Strategic Enabler of Europe’s Access to Space

    Europe’s aspirations to establish both independent and competitive access to space are, like with any other region, fundamentally tied to access to ground test infrastructure. Extensive hot-fire test campaigns, integrated system verification, etc., are all essential steps in the development and qualification of Europe’s existing and future launch vehicles. And while some key facilities that…

  • Parametric Study of Deorbit Sail Sizes for Small Satellites

    The need for reliable and scalable post-mission disposal solutions is inevitable for small satellite missions in Low Earth Orbit. For spacecrafts without onboard propulsion system passive, fail-safe deorbit technologies can be essential to ensure compliance with orbital lifetime mitigation requirements. Deorbit systems using dragsails provide a robust approach and limited operational complexity without propellants, active…

  • A Data Fusion Framework for Real-Time GNSS Availability Assessment Under Combined Space Weather and Terrestrial Interference

    Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become critical infrastructure for autonomous platforms across space, maritime, and ground domains. Historically, GNSS accuracy degradation was primarily attributed to natural phenomena—ionospheric disturbances, scintillation, and solar activity. However, modern operational environments increasingly face terrestrial threats including intentional jamming, spoofing, and regional denial zones. Current mission planning tools address these…

  • Passive Modular Ring-Truss Deployment of a Large-Area Membrane Aperture from a 1U CubeSat Volume

    The increasing operational demands placed on CubeSat platforms have intensified the challenge of accommodating large deployable apertures within severely constrained launch volumes. This study investigates a compact deployable membrane payload capable of stowing entirely within a 1U CubeSat volume while achieving a substantially larger deployed area. The proposed system combines a modular collapsible ring-truss with…

  • Intelligent Orchestration for Hosted Payload Architectures in Satellite-as-a-Service Missions

    The rapid growth of the “Satellite-as-a-Service” market and the rise of In-Orbit Demonstration/Validation (IOD/IOV) missions have accelerated the demand for flexible hosted-payload architectures. Integration of third‑party payloads onto a host bus introduces complex challenges in resource contention, interface standardization, and operational risk management. Traditional integration of third‑party payloads onto a host bus suffers from resource…

  • COTS coolers for space applications

    COTS coolers for space applications H. Schot, G. de Jonge, C. Vasse Thales Cryogenics B.V. Eindhoven, The Netherlands The field-proven reliability and robustness of many mechanical cryocoolers has improved to a point where many cost-sensitive space missions are now using these commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) units for flight. In this presentation, we will present cryocooler models…