Digital Commons Network^™

Curie Power Suite: Enabling Deep Space High-Power Cubesat Exploration, Daniele Rizzieri, Cristina Erbeia, Paride Amabili, Michele Ferrarese, Paola Celesti, Andrea Bononi, Pasquale Smoraldi, Angelo Masera Ludovica Bozzoli, Stefano Bottigliero, Federico Porrà, Emilio Fazzoletto Argotec, Pablo Hernández, Simone Simonetti

Small Satellite Conference

With the development and consolidation of new space exploration solutions, new operational scenarios are enabled, and with them new challenges arise. This paper describes the design drivers, process and achieved features of the newly developed CURIE Power Conversion and Distribution Unit (PCDU), aiming at deep-space CubeSat-operated critical missions. Born from cooperation between Argotec and the Power Electronics unit of the European Space Agency (ESA), this power unit is going to be employed on the HEliospheric pioNeer for sOlar and interplanetary threats defeNce (HENON) mission by ESA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI), aiming at demonstrating new solutions for near real-time …

Periodic Test Signals For Measurement And Calibration Of Phase Modulated Signals Directly With Spectral Analysis, Brendan Hill, Nazia Mozaffar, Slawan Damman

Small Satellite Conference

Software Defined Radio (SDR) transmitters that employ digital phase modulation can have imperfections in the transmitted waveform that either distort the intended signal or introduce undesired spurious interference. In the case of zero-intermediate frequency transmission, these impairments include amplitude imbalance between the in-phase and quadrature components, quadrature skew in the vector modulator, and local oscillator feedthrough. In the case of heterodyne transmission, where the digital modulation is applied to a carrier offset before digital-to-analog conversion, an undesired image may be present at the vector modulator output. These transmitter impairments can be observed and measured directly with a vector signal analyzer …

The Atlantic Constellation Very High Resolution, A Small Satellite Approach Achieving High-Performance Optical Imagery, Henrique Candeias, Carlos Roldán, Carmen Velarde, Filipe Almeida, Francisco Miguel Ferreira, Gonçalo Aguiar, Gonçalo Correia, Henrique Santos, João Pedro Leitão, John Meyer, Lídia Nogueira, Liliana Baptista, Luis Gomes, Mónica Patrícia Moitas, Pedro Cruz, Pedro Prates, Ricardo Grosso Ferreira, Vasco Amorim, Vítor Botelho, Pedro Coelho, Patrick Silva, João Andrade, Nuno Catarino, André Oliveira

Small Satellite Conference

The Atlantic Constellation (AC) was launched politically by Portugal and Spain in 2021 as an initiative to develop an Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation capable of delivering multispectral optical imagery at high revisit. The Constellation has evolved over time and is an anchor programme of the Portuguese National Space Strategy. It entails optical VHR satellites as well as SAR observation capabilities. Sharing the same ground and data infrastructure, the constellation will provide coverages at < 1m and images below 50 cm resolution with daily access time based on tasked imaging acquisitions. This constellation will constitute a strategic autonomy asset capable of serving a broad field of sectors, such as Defence, Maritime, Agriculture, Security and Disaster monitoring. As the leader of the VHR space segment component of the AC, and its main industrial partner, N3O faces diverse technical and programmatic challenges. The major challenge arises from the growing commercial demand for rapid access to orbit, which shortens the development and integration timelines imposed by customers. This demand leads to wider adoption for off-the-shelf components. The VHR satellites are a product of this philosophy. One of the major drivers is tailoring the mission requirements to accommodate what standard VHR payloads and small satellite platforms in the market can offer, and what their interfaces can support. Another challenge is maintaining a low orbit altitude, due to limited low thrust system and power capabilities that keep cost and complexity manageable, while ensuring the target 50 cm Ground Sampling Distance (GSD) and fulfilling the updated space debris regulation to decay within 5 years. Moreover, these commercial space products do not always follow standard processes and specifications (e.g. ECSS, MIL), making co-engineering effort and heritage knowledge key for satellite design and verification activities. Opportunities for rideshare and small satellite launch service providers are growing, together with the diverse market on Ground Stations services. Lastly, the development of dedicated in-house facilities and planning for the assembly, integration and test (AIT) phase of the VHR satellites, built from scratch, and based on space industry best practices and standards, all combine to make this one of the most ambitious space programmes ever carried out in Portugal.

A Ground System Framework For Operating Satellites In Very Low Earth Orbit, Kashyapa Naren Athreyas, Bryden Cho, Xiaohua Zhang, Wee Seng Lim

Small Satellite Conference

In the space industry, the space-segment and ground-segment work in tandem to effectively and safely control satellites, execute its intended missions, and obtain meaningful data. In recent years, the space industry has been exploring Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) for the following advantages: (a) reduced satellite traffic, (b) increased revisit frequency, (c) shorter communication distances, and (d) closer Earth observation points. However, the exponential increase in atmospheric density and gravitational forces, combined with shorter operational response times to critical events, poses significant challenges for satellite operations. While satellite design should ensure appropriate system sizing and requirements to address these issues …

Using A Software-Defined Radio Ground Station For A Small Satellite Mission, Simon Gläsner, Victoria Koßack, Mario-Rafael Ionian, Enrico Stoll, Tom Baumann

Small Satellite Conference

In January 2025, InnoCube, a 3U CubeSat was launched with the Transporter-12 mission, becoming the 31st academic satellite of TU Berlin. The technology demonstration mission is the first one at TU Berlin which uses software-defined radio to operate the satellite in the amateur UHF band. The ground station is based on software-defined radio, which has been a vital part of the development of the communication system of InnoCube. Integration into the ground segment is a logical step in the test-as-you-fly philosophy of the mission. The ground segment consists of a SDR which is paired to a power amplifier which includes …

Laser Crosslink Experiment: Post-Mission Review, Sean Stanko, Dan Frey, Jose Ruvalcaba, Sean Burk, Damian Klaren, Dmitriy Obukhov, Barry Tidmore, Jason Bousquet, David Wayne, Nathan Barnwell, Galen Cauble, Kevin Book, Ben Laxton, Grant Webster, Stan Volchenok, David Sadowski, David Palmer

Small Satellite Conference

The Laser Crosslink Experiment (LaCE) was a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) microsatellite mission that flew between March 4, 2024, and May 18, 2025. LaCE was a two-CubeSat, multi-payload mission developed by Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC). Its major payloads included the CACI Skylight laser communication terminal, the ELROI optical beacon, the Vulcan CSR payload radio, and a newly developed NIWC Tracking, Telemetry, and Command (TT&C) ground operations center. Additionally, LaCE led to the development of the Stratospheric Optical Link Demonstration (SOLD) high-altitude balloon experiment, a companion mission which demonstrated the Skylight terminal in the stratosphere as a risk reduction …

Apophis Cratering Experiment Mission Concept, Ethan Kayser, Tyler Presser, Cristyn Merry, Matthew Givens, Kevin Walsh, Viliam Klein

Small Satellite Conference

Apophis is set to become one of the most extensively studied asteroids in history thanks to the detailed observation campaign of OSIRIS-APEX during its 2029 and 2030 extended mission to the near-Earth object, alongside Ramses which is expected to launch in 2028. To supplement those missions, we propose the Apophis Cratering Experiment (ACE), an impactor mission that leverages OSIRIS-APEX or Ramses as a dedicated observer, during and after the collision, to maximize scientific return at a low cost. In addition to providing significant science return, the mission offers a low-cost opportunity to demonstrate novel SmallSat technologies in deep …

Magnetic Balancing For Microvibration Reduction In Passive Magnetic Bearings For Smallsat Reaction Wheels, Deckers Niel, Baekeland Mante, Cuypers Cedric, Seiler Rene, Vandepitte Dirk, Delabie Tjorven

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Advancing Real-Time Gnss Data Transmission And Education Through Atak Integration At Cosmiac, Chad Rathbun, Craig Kief, Luis Hernandez, Rachel Hock-Mysliwiec, Michael Starks

Small Satellite Conference

This study showcases COSMIAC at the University of New Mexico (UNM), a leading center for configurable space microsystems and aerospace applications, as it integrates cutting-edge technologies to advance secure and efficient communication systems. Under the AFRL RAPID program, COSMIAC tested a novel architecture combining Azure Orbital Cloud Access (AOCA), the Azure Stack Edge Mini Rugged device, and SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation to transmit real-time Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. The project also leveraged the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK), a geospatial situational awareness tool, to demonstrate the operational utility of advanced data delivery and visualization systems. The results inform …

Attitude Control Of A Floating Satellite (Floatsat) Via Deep Reinforcement Learning, Muhammad Faisal, Dennis Reimer, Sergio Montenegro

Small Satellite Conference

In this work, attitude determination and control (ADC) of a Floating–Satellite(FloatSat)1 through artificial intelligence is proposed. More specifically, Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) will be used to generate an optimal control policy for small satellites. This project evaluated an attitude control policy based on deep reinforcement learning using stable–baseline3 (a library which implements the DRL algorithms in PyTorch).² This Artificially intelligent attitude control was realized for a one-dimensional laboratory-based satellite, which is specifically designed to train the students for satellites and their subsystems.

Autonomous Dual Interchangeable Robotic Arms For In-Space Servicing, Assembly, And Manufacturing, Jonathan Tindall, Michael Daher, Arin Churi, Jake Piccirillo, Anais Mera-Sarnelli, George Serra, Zach Merly, Andrew Dishchuk, Michael Madden, Christian Szczezniak

Small Satellite Conference

The expansion of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations highlights the critical need for In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) to perform novel orbital missions that reduces launch and operating costs and extends mission lifespans. Existing space robotic systems are too expensive, large, and specialized for many ISAM applications in LEO. A small-scale twin robotic arm system that features interchangeable end effectors enhances future ISAM mission capabilities. This robotic arm system leverages smaller, low-cost, arms to perform precise autonomous operations, including satellite repair, repositioning, and recovery. Initial designs and analysis show the arms to be 62% smaller in length and …

Chantsat-1 Ground Station Planning, Design And Installation - Experiences Gained, Ian Hewitt, Jean French, George Hitt

Small Satellite Conference

Planning, designing, and implementing the ground station for ChantSat-1, Coastal Carolina University’s first small sat mission program, was the first major milestone of the University’s space program. CCU’s ChantSat-1 ground station team presents the experiences gained during the process from inception to completion of the ground station at a liberal arts public University in the southeastern United States with approximately 11,000 students. By sharing both our challenges and successes, our goal is to support others by providing experiences gained in the process.

Hard Disk Drive Reaction Wheel System For Cubesat Architecture, Nidhi Sonwalkar, Venkata Chalamalasetty, Dionna Parina, Parishee Bajaj

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellites have become prevalent within the aerospace industry due to their ability to provide an inexpensive and easily accessible platform for technology demonstrations. Reaction wheels are typically selected for these missions’ attitude and rate control due to their small form factor. Their downside, however, is high cost, upwards of thousands of dollars, which does not align well with the low budget of many small satellites. To address this issue, alternative momentum-actuator technologies can be implemented that, similar to traditional reaction wheels, impart torques for actuation but require much less mass, volume, power, and money. This manuscript discusses the implementation …

Optical Telescope Paradigms For High-Performance Cost-Effective Smallsats, Tony Hull, Janina Krieg, Florian Gollier, Dustin Ruth, Thomas Westerhoff, Ralf Jedamsik

Small Satellite Conference

ZERODUR®’s supreme thermo-mechanical stability is enabling for high-performance telescopes, including mirror substrates and even the precision metering structure. For on-orbit high-resolution SmallSat telescopes, tight dimensional control may be passively maintained, even while experiencing continuously changing Solar and Earth thermal view factors. This stability is a vast improvement over implementation in alternate materials like aluminum. ZERODUR®’s thermal and strength characteristics are comprehensively described via ~ 100 scientific publications. Innate stability, decades of spaceborne heritage and expert machining and lightweighting from SCHOTT offers special ZERODUR® cost-effective solutions for SmallSat Telescope Design-to-Cost paradigms, even for constellation level implementation. The latest information for such …

Orbitcare: A Universal Autonomous In-Orbit Platform For Manufacturing, Servicing, And Debris Mitigation, Rohan Chandratre, Vishish Behera, Anushree Manwatkar, Aruma Kushwaha, Sneha Gayen

Small Satellite Conference

OrbitCare is a proposed orbital infrastructure enabling scalable, sustainable, and cost-effective in-space servicing, manufacturing, and assembly through a modular system architecture comprising an Orbital Manufacturing Hub (OMH) and a fleet of free-flying WorkSat servicing satellites, all integrated via a standardized Servicing Interface Standard (SIS). This paper presents the technical architecture, subsystem design, trade studies, use cases, and development roadmap for OrbitCare. The motivation stems from the current lack of persistent infrastructure in orbit, which renders satellites single-use assets with limited repair or upgrade capabilities. OrbitCare addresses this by combining a permanent hub with reusable robotic satellites to extend spacecraft lifespans, …

Small Satellites, Big Impact: Advancing Space Innovation From Earth To Orbit With The Catapult’S Isam Test Facility, Dimitris Xydas, Oliver Knappett, Lewis Gray, Alex Goodhand, Jeremy Hadall, Michael Curtis-Rouse

Small Satellite Conference

The In-orbit Servicing Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) Test Facility at Westcott, UK is a testbed providing realistic environmental conditions for orbital operations here on Earth, with the primary objective of accelerating the readiness level of emerging ISAM technologies and reducing the time to market for commercial space systems. As a result of continuous feedback from campaigns, the Facility has seen recent upgrades to both infrastructure and capabilities, which has created a unique operational environment that acts as an enabler for space activities in the UK and internationally. Moreover, as a constantly evolving system, it is uniquely positioned to adapt to …

Afrl Validated Principles And Building Blocks Of Ground-Based Ops Automation, Tyler De Caussin, Jarred Langhals, Brandon Shirley, Lee Jasper

Small Satellite Conference

Over the past decade, AFRL's Small Satellite Portfolio (SSP) and Ops Cadre (RVES) branches have been operating small satellites with different bus providers to support diverse mission needs. Because the bus, payload and experimentation differ for every mission, and the ground segment has had the challenge of supporting the varying needs on a mission-by-mission basis. AFRL has been working to improve efficiency with which the ground segment supports those varying needs. One major emphasis has been on learning how to automate operations of such different missions. In an effort to standardize mission automation within the operations center, AFRL has developed …

Terp Raptor: A University-Led Smallsat Flyby Mission To Investigate Asteroid Apophis, Adrienne Rudolph, Sean Phillips, Chinthan Prasad, Kruti Bhingradiya, Rahul Vishnoi, Cameron Storey, Brent Barbee, Mary Bowden, David Akin, Jarred Young, Paul Bernhardt, Yunghsin Chen

Small Satellite Conference

The ~350-meter diameter Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) designated 99942 Apophis 2004 MN₄ will make a historic close approach of Earth on April 13th, 2029, passing within ~31,634 km of Earth’s surface, closer than our geosynchronous satellites. Suggested to be a 1 in 7500-year event, this is an extraordinarily unique opportunity for collecting data on an Apophis-sized asteroid experiencing the effects of Earth’s gravitational field. Our Terrapin Engineered Rideshare Probe for Rapid-response asteroid Apophis Profiling, Tracking, Observing, and Reconnaissance (TERP RAPTOR) is a low-cost, Earth-orbiting mission concept in which a 12U CubeSat designed and built by University of Maryland students …

Exploring Lunar Ionosphere Characterization Through Multi-Cubesat Occultation With Ranging Technology And Radiation Environment Analysis, Yiyu Chang, Yuhsiu Tien, Chieh Lung, Jason Yu, Weichih Lin, Yihsuan Chou, Roger Tsai, Terry Chen, Yi Duann, Loren Chang

Small Satellite Conference

Characterizing the lunar ionosphere and radiation environment is critical for advancing both scientific knowledge and the practical requirements of future lunar missions. This mission proposes deploying dual satellites in lunar orbit to perform radio occultation (RO) measurements and validate the presence and behavior of the lunar ionosphere. By analyzing the phase differences of dual-frequency signals, the electron density can be measured, enabling both temporal analysis and spatial mapping of the lunar ionospheric structure. A thorough understanding of these environmental factors is essential for identifying suitable landing sites, designing resilient infrastructure, and ensuring the reliability of communication and navigation systems—key enablers …

Gram-Scale Chipsat Spacecraft For Light Sailing In Leo, Joshua Umansky-Castro, Matthew Hurford, Corbin Heywood, Grace Tang, Cameron Goddard, Jonathan Ma, Apurva Hanwadikar, Mason Peck, Andrew Filo, Alex Burke

Small Satellite Conference

Cornell University’s Alpha mission is a 1U CubeSat that deploys a retroreflective free-flying light sail in LEO. Mounted to the sail, and serving as its flight computers, are four ChipSats –gram-scale spacecraft assembled onto a single palm-sized PCB. These satellites collect and downlink data on the sail’s orbital position and attitude kinematics, communicating directly with low-cost ground stations around the globe. This paper introduces the ChipSat developed specifically for the Alpha mission launching in 2025. The new femto-satellite builds on previous-generation designs with a significant revamp of the RF communications. This paper provides an overview of the as-flown ChipSat design …

Advancing Earth Observation With A Novel Polarimetric Sensor: The Garai-A Satellite And Satlantis’ Next-Generation Systems, Daniel Luque, Leire Benito, Aitor Moriñigo, Aitor Conde, Xavier Lopez, Jon Paul Babio, Fernando Mariño, Lucas Dubois, Wafaa Bousaid, Antonio Checa

Small Satellite Conference

Polarimetric sensors introduce great imaging enhancements to current Earth Observation capabilities, by improving target discrimination, material recognition, and atmospheric components filtering. Satlantis has recently launched its cutting-edge polarimetry technology onboard its GARAI-A satellite, which will soon demonstrate its advanced capabilities in orbit. This paper presents the design of the polarimetric channel, its calibration process, the first polarimetric images, and an initial assessment of their potential applications.

GARAI-A, launched in January 2025, carries an innovative polarimetric channel designed by Satlantis on an iSIM-90 sensor to capture multi-angle polarization data at a very high spatial resolution. Unlike other EO payloads, this novel …

Veery, A Flat Satellite Scatterometer For Global, Hourly Refresh Of Ocean Surface Vector Winds, M. Patrick Walton, Alex R. Laraway, David G. Long

Small Satellite Conference

Care Weather is developing Veery, a small satellite scatterometer for monitoring ocean surface vector wind (OSVW) with state-of-the-art performance. Veery uses a rotating fan-beam C-band radar to provide a 1,050 km swath with 25 km resolution and more than 70% uptime. Veery’s dynamic range covers 3–27 m/s with speed errors below 1.6 m/s and directional errors below 11^°, matching the performance of previous scatterometers from a much smaller satellite. Veery’s small size is enabled by a flat satellite form factor that vertically integrates the instrument and bus. That small size makes it affordable for deployment in a constellation …

The Auroral X-Ray Imager (Axis), Andrew Holland, Karen Holland, David Colebrook, Thomas Buggey, Chiaki Crews, Michael Hubbard, Colin Forsyth, William Dunn, Shyama Narendranath, Srikar Tadepalli, Anurag Tyagi, Koushal Vadodariya, Douglas Jordan

Small Satellite Conference

The interaction of the solar wind with the Earth is a subject of significant study. One phenomenon is the occurrence of aurorae at the polar regions, resulting from the interaction of particles in the solar wind with the atmosphere, often giving light shows which captures the publics’ imagination. These energetic interactions also extend to X-ray wavelengths. Whilst aurorae have been studied for generations in the visible, the X-ray emission of aurorae has only been observed by a couple of spacecraft, with a paucity of data. There are only a couple of instances of emission intensity having been measured, but without …

Seeing 230 Ident: A Compact, High-Precision Zerodur®-Based Imager For Smallsat, A. Bouée, X. Bozec, J. L. Carel, F. Dong, V. Dumont, L. Duveau, P. Manfredi, V. Mengeling, R. Philipps, S. Ques, C. Soncin, L. Swyngedauw

Small Satellite Conference

The SEEING 230 IDENT is a compact space imager based on a ZERODUR^® main structure. It provides a ground sampling distance of 1 meter when operating at an altitude of 500 km. The optical layout adopts a space-efficient Korsch design, optimized for compactness and performance. This paper provides a comprehensive presentation of the instrument’s main specifications, its opto-mechanical concept, and the experimentally validated performance.

Ninjasat Achievements And Lessons Learned, Toru Tamagawa, Takao Kitaguchi, Yo Kato, Tatehiro Mihara, Kentaro Taniguchi, Teruaki Enoto, Tomoshi Takeda, Hiromitsu Takahashi, Naoyuki Ota, Amira Aoyama, Satoko Iwata, Takuya Takahashi, Kaede Yamasaki, Yousuke Nakano, Soma Tsuchiya, Yuto Yoshida, Syoki Hayashi, Sota Watanabe, Arata Jujo, Yuanhui Zhou, Keisuke Uchiyama, Wataru Iwakiri, Mayu Ichibakase, Masaki Numazawa, Hiroki Sato, Chin-Ping Hu, Hirokazu Odaka, Tsubasa Tamba

Small Satellite Conference

NinjaSat is a 6U CubeSat dedicated to X-ray astrophysics, launched on November 11, 2023. Scientific observations began on February 23, 2024, and as of June 27, 30 X-ray sources have been observed, yielding numerous scientific outputs. Beyond its primary mission of astronomical observations, NinjaSat has contributed to additional fields, including X-ray pulsar-based navigation, atmospheric studies using X-rays passing through Earth’s limb, investigations of atmospheric structure through orbital decay analysis, and studies of the relationship between the orbital radiation environment and solar activity. By expanding beyond its initial astronomical focus, NinjaSat has demonstrated the versatile potential of scientific CubeSats. This paper …

Launch Fast Learn Fast: Lessons Learned From The R5-S2 And R5-S4 Missions, James Berck, Sam Pedrotty, Jack Wisbiski, Morgan Alexander, Kathryn Knesek, Ruth May, Jacob Nunez-Kearny, Rob Stoddard, Thomas Kirven, Robin Onsay, Roger Hunter

Small Satellite Conference

The Realizing Rapid, Reduced-cost high-Risk Research (R5) project is pushing the envelope on minimizing cost and schedule for complex spacecraft that support low Technology Readiness Level payload demonstration in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). R5 has recently designed, built, launched, and operated multiple spacecraft that are iteratively and incrementally delivering improved payload hosting capabilities while maintaining cost targets (< $100k in materials per bus) and schedule targets (launching at least two spacecraft per year). This paper will describe the unique architecture, approach, technological advancements, and lessons learned from the project. The primary stakeholder for R5 is the Small Spacecraft Technology program within the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA with the project based out of Johnson Space Center.

To achieve the aggressive cost and schedule targets, R5 is redefining the understanding of how much rigor, quality, and robustness are required to succeed in high-risk LEO missions. Starting with a clean-slate for process and system design, R5 has charted a path, …

Expanding Cubesat Horizons: A 27u Mission To Sun-Earth L5, Tabitha Patrick, Allen Martinez, Aimee Dew, Shane Hancock, Michael Generale

Small Satellite Conference

CubeSats have gained increasing popularity in the aerospace industry due to their compact, modular designs, which offer a cost-effective and versatile solution for orbital applications. Historically limited to low Earth orbit (LEO) due to propulsion and communication constraints, CubeSats are now being explored for deeper space missions. The Icarus mission seeks to demonstrate that a 27U CubeSat can operate at the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 5 (L5), leveraging recent advancements in efficient electric propulsion and deployable subsystems to monitor solar activity and relay data back to Earth. By capitalizing on a standardized CubeSat form factor with commercial off-the-shelf components, Icarus offers …

Advancing Space Weather Research With The Next-Generation Space Weather Probes, Justin Wellington, Rowan Antonuccio, Kade Howes, Benjamin Lewis, Todd Wilson, Charles Swenson

Small Satellite Conference

Accurate characterization of ionospheric conditions is essential for improving space weather forecasting and mitigating its impacts on communication, navigation, and space-based systems. Utah State University’s Center for Space Engineering has developed the second-generation Space Weather Probes (SWP2) instrumentation suite, optimized for deployment on small satellite platforms. Building upon experience from the Scintillation Prediction Observations Research Task (SPORT) mission, SWP2 integrates advanced Langmuir probes, floating potential double probes, and an RF impedance probe onto a compact, FPGA-controlled electronics module, conforming to the standard 9×9 cm CubeSat form factor. The design provides complementary diagnostic measurements of electron density, electron temperature, electric fields, …

Slalom: A Mission Concept For Autonomous Very Low Lunar Orbit Operations, Jeffrey S. Parker, Bradley Cheetham, Charles Cain, Ethan Kayser

Small Satellite Conference

A Sustained Low-Altitude Lunar Orbital Mission (SLALOM) maintains an orbital path very close to the surface of the Moon: passing within 1–5 kilometers of topographical peaks and maintaining an average altitude under 10 kilometers. This extremely low orbit enables high-resolution observations of the Moon but requires a new class of autonomous navigation and stationkeeping. The au-tonomous software system, ALPINE (Auto-maneuver Location Processor using Integrated Navigation Estimates), fuses real-time optical navigation data with one-way and cross-link radiometric tracking data to maintain continuous and autonomous custody of the spacecraft. This paper examines a stationkeeping strategy that maximizes surface coverage of desirable locations …

Productization And Qualification Of A 22n Bipropellant Hydrogen Peroxide Engine, Thomas White, Vivek Vidyarthi, Avery Clotfelter

Small Satellite Conference

As the space industry expands quickly and green propellants enjoy growing interest, the key question of research is no longer basic viability but productization. The most valuable engine is one that is qualified and available as close to “off the shelf” as possible. But publications on the process of taking an engine from first demonstrations to true product status are rare. This paper describes the process of transitioning Benchmark Space System’s 22N Ocelot engine – first flown as the 1.0 product version in 2022 – into a high-volume, well-characterized product, including details on the qualification program for the 1.2 version, …