Paper Category: Missions
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A Comprehensive Framework for Analysis and Review of Super‑Resolution Models in Earth Observation Imagery
This work presents a comprehensive evaluation framework for Earth observation (EO) super‑resolution (SR) models, combining large‑scale literature analysis with practical benchmarking and workflow prototyping. Motivated by the rapid expansion of deep learning–based SR techniques and the increasing demand for high‑fidelity EO imagery, we conducted an extensive review of more than 200 research papers spanning classical,…
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Multiclass Satellite Payload for SAR
This work investigates a multiclass spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload architecture aimed at enabling distributed and scalable Earth Observation missions using NanoSats and/or MicroSats in cooperative satellite swarms. The proposed architecture addresses the challenge of achieving high performance SAR imaging within the inherent mass, volume and power constraints of small satellites while supporting advanced…
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Tiny Telescope: Monolithic Diffraction-Limited Imaging
The Tiny Telescope is a compact, fully integrated monolithic telescope, designed to address the stringent volume, mass, and alignment constraints of small satellite missions. By integrating refractive and reflective optical surfaces, internal baffles, and structural features within a single optical element, the Tiny Telescope eliminates the need for complex multi-element assemblies and post-integration alignment. This…
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Lattice: A Rapid-Transition Ku-Band Metasurface Radar for Sovereign Responsive Space
As Europe and its allies pivot toward space sovereignty and resilient orbital architectures, the demand for high-performance, rapid-delivery Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities has become critical. This paper presents Lattice, a prototype spaceborne radar system designed to provide a low-risk, high-fidelity transition of ground-proven radar technology into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment. Developed by…
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High-Agile Spacecraft with Flexible Appendages: Limits, Risks, and Mitigation
Modern Earth-observation missions increasingly rely on high-agility retargeting to maximise target acquisitions. At the same time, new-generation spacecraft are adopting larger, lightweight, and lightly damped appendages such as high-power solar arrays and deployable SAR antennas, which introduce low-frequency flexible dynamics and tighter slew-and-settle constraints. The combined trend raises a central question for mission design: how…
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Seeing Through the Haze: Simulation-Driven Atmospheric Analysis and On-board Dehazing for Robust LEO/VLEO Earth Observation
Atmospheric attenuation and cloud cover remain a primary bottleneck for optical Earth Observation (EO) mission operations, often rendering downlinked data unusable and straining limited bandwidth budgets. This work presents a novel framework to improve actionable intelligence by integrating real-time atmospheric assessment and image restoration directly into the onboard image processing chain. To overcome the scarcity…
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Shining a spotlight on maritime dark traffic
The ability to support Maritime Domain Awareness from space using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has been successfully demonstrated in the past, however practical challenges in achieving the necessary area coverage, temporal coverage and spatial resolution for a practical system has eluded wider adoption. Yet demand for Maritime Surveillance has increased in recent years, to protect…
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CubeSat ISR Constellation Mission Tailoring
This paper presents a modelling framework for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR) CubeSat constellation combining optical payload and Software Defined Radio (SDR). The concept satellite is 8-16U depending on the payload resolution and presence of warm-gas propulsion allowing for orbital changes and station keeping extending the operational time. Deployed in 500-km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), the…
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Foresail-1 Prime: Early In-Orbit Results and Platform Performance
This presentation reports first in-orbit results from the FORESAIL-1 Prime mission [1], launched in November 2025 aboard the Transporter-15 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. FORESAIL-1 Prime is a 3U CubeSat built on a fully redeveloped, mission-specific satellite platform, designed and implemented at Aalto University following a comprehensive re-engineering of the original FORESAIL-1 spacecraft. All…
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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…