Paper Category: Technology
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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A Coupled Analytical-Simulation Approach to Redundant Small Spacecraft AOCS
Missions including close-proximity operations and docking (CPOD) as well as in-orbit servicing are redefining the capabilities of small spacecraft. As a result, attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS) requirements have evolved to include not only attitude maintenance, but also 6-DoF translation and rotation. Cold-gas thruster arrays are key to these capabilities, but optimising their design…
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Broadband vibration isolation in a deployable telescopic baffle exploiting post-buckling thrust tube dynamics
Stray light suppression is a primary consideration for high-performance optical instruments, yet the necessary baffle dimensions often conflict with launch volume restrictions. Existing solutions necessitate a trade-off: motorised telescopic mechanisms provide structural rigidity but incur significant mass, complexity and cost penalties. Flexible deployable shrouds, whilst volumetrically efficient, lack the deterministic geometry required for high-precision optical…
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Delivering Smallsat in a few weeks: Advancing Responsive Space Capabilities with Scalable Platforms
Responsive Space marks a fundamental shift in the way space-based services are developed, launched and operated. This evolution toward more adaptive architectures is driven by the growing need for rapid delivery, cost efficiency, and technical competitiveness in both commercial and military domains, at a pace that conflict with legacy satellite development processes, making the traditional…
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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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Hardware Security Subsystem for On-board Cybersecurity
Fuelled by the New Space economy, there is a critical demand for enhanced cybersecurity in satellites, a necessity that is increasingly recognised yet remains challenging to meet due to resource constraints, system complexity, and maintenance costs. Robust security implementations across individual satellite subsystems traditionally require specialised cryptographic expertise, costly maintenance of the cryptographic software stack,…