Paper Category: Technology
-
AI-Based Navigation for Lunar Satellites in VLLO
This paper presents the design and preliminary validation of the Lunar Intelligent Navigation via Neural Architecture (LINNA) payload, a technology demonstration integrated into the SelenITA mission—Brazil’s first lunar CubeSat. The experiment is motivated by the future needs for autonomous state estimation in the Very Low Lunar Orbit (VLLO) regime, where Mascon-induced gravitational anomalies challenge traditional…
-
FOCUS: Free-space Optical Communications Unit for Satellites
Laser and optical communication terminals offer tremendous opportunity for high-speed (>1 Gbps), highly-secure, inter-satellite and satellite-to-ground global communications. Traditionally, high size weight and power (SWaP) requirements have created challenges in realising COTS products, as well as, the application of such devices in small satellites such as CubeSats. A academic-industry consortium led by Northumbria University have…
-
Scaling Optical Inter-Satellite Networks for Resilient Smallsat Constella
As smallsat constellations transition from experimental deployments to operational infrastructure, network scalability, resilience, and secure data transport have become primary system-level constraints. RF-based crosslinks increasingly face spectrum congestion, limited throughput, and architectural complexity when applied at constellation scale. Optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) offer a compelling alternative, but successful deployment requires careful integration across spacecraft design,…
-
A Modular Open-Source ADCS Framework for Small Satellite Development and Testing
Advanced attitude determination and control (ADCS) techniques are often difficult for small satellite teams to adopt due to tightly coupled implementations and the need to rapidly evaluate alternative architectures. Evaluating prospective ADCS options may require significant modification of existing code for specific actuator combinations, sensor hardware, orbits, mission goals, and control laws. Existing options are…
-
Embedding Machine-Learned Anomaly Detection into Relevance-Driven Mission Operations Workflows
Anomaly detection has become a central application of machine learning in satellite operations; however, when applied in isolation, machine learning based detections alone are insufficient to support scalable mission operations. As fleets grow, operators face increasing cognitive load not from anomaly frequency, but from the need to interpret weak signals, correlate them with operational context,…
-
Operational Implications of Dynamic Power Throttling on High-Performance LEO Edge Computing
The integration of high-performance COTS (Customer Of The Shelf) processors, such as the Nvidia Jetson Orin NX, into SmallSat architectures enables advanced on-orbit edge computing but introduces significant power management challenges. Standard manufacturer power profiles typically require system reboots and lack the granularity needed to respond to dynamic LEO (Low Earth Orbit) energy constraints, such…
-
Low SWaP Flight Board for High-Speed On-Board Data Handling, Processing and AI Inference
The continuous increase in payload data volume and mission autonomy requirements is driving the need for increasingly advanced on-board data handling and processing technologies in satellite systems. In particular, next-generation Earth observation, telecommunications, and distributed space architectures require high-performance processing capabilities to enable real-time data reduction, intelligent decision-making, and efficient use of downlink resources. Within…
-
Lessons Learned from UPAEP’s AzTechSat-1 and Gxiba-1 Nanosatellites
This paper presents lessons learned during the development of the AzTechSat-1 nanosatellite (rule-based and driven by NASA methods) and the Gxiba-1 nanosatellite (documentation-driven and demonstration-oriented), both of which were influenced by NASA’s mission culture and JAXA’s Japanese methodology. Both missions are grounded in systems engineering (traceable requirements, subsystem decomposition, and controlled integration). Quality gates, including…
-
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…
-
ENPULSION NANO and MICRO propulsion systems: from flight heritage to design updates
Over 300 NANO and MICRO propulsion systems have been deployed in space, servicing a variety of customers, missions and applications in large number of different orbits and platform sizes. The significant flight heritage gained from these units has been continuously used to improved design and operations of the systems. While the NANO propulsion system is…