EUROPE’S LARGEST SMALLSAT CONFERENCE

JUne 1-3, 2027 | RAI, Amsterdam

Paper Category: Engineering

  • 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…

  • From Structure to System: Multifunctional 3D-Printed Satellite Architectures

    Additive manufacturing offers significant potential for the development of highly integrated and cost-effective satellite structures. This research aims to evaluate the viability of monolithic 3D-printed satellite structures for space applications, with a focus on integrating mechanical supports, electrical routing, and electronic functionalities directly into the primary structure. By leveraging the monolithic nature of additive manufacturing,…

  • Topology Optimization and Cooling Structures for Electronic Equipment in Small Satellites

    Data processing capacity and power demands are rapidly increasing in telecom and scientific payloads. That, together with miniaturization of systems, leads often to performance limitation due to insufficient cooling, which therefore limits the revenue that can be obtained from the equipment. Optimized design of satellite structures and cooling systems combined is therefore key to enable…

  • Qualification test campaign for the 15kN Milli Release Nut

    The Dcubed Milli Release Nut (mD3RN) is a compact, high-performance release actuator based on Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) technology, capable of sustaining and releasing axial loads of up to 15 kN. The actuator has been designed with a strong focus on low mass, compact form factor, and functional redundancy, while enabling a simple and rapid…

  • Engineering a 160-Node Distributed Payload in 3U

    Rapid in-orbit technology validation is increasingly constrained by integration effort and spacecraft resource margins. We present a systems-engineering approach for hosting up to 160 low-power experiment nodes within a standard 3U CubeSat as a contained distributed payload. The architecture treats each node as an independently testable endpoint while the spacecraft provides shared power, timing, command…

  • The Final Barrier to High-Performance Computing in Space: Architectures for Mitigating Catastrophic Radiation Effects

    The increasing ambition of commercial and institutional space missions is driving demand for onboard computing capabilities far beyond traditional spacecraft avionics. Applications such as orbital data centers, large satellite constellations, autonomous mission operations, and real time data processing increasingly depend on high performance GPUs, advanced processors, high density solid state storage, and complex commercial electronic…

  • Link-Budget Analysis of Dynamic Impairments on E-/W-Band High Through-Put Feeder Links for Future VLEO Small Satellites

    Very low earth orbit (VLEO) presents unique challenges for satellite-to-ground communication because of higher orbital velocity, reduced contact times, and rapidly changing link geometry. However, VLEO offers advantages such as reduced latency, improved spatial resolution, and enhanced link margins for small satellites and earth observation. Maximizing transmitted data during each shortened overpass in VLEO using…