Digital Commons Network^™

Lightweight Open Source On-Spacecraft Machine Learning With Mlpack And F Prime, Ryan R. Curtin, Scott M. Gilliland, Sterling L. Peet

Small Satellite Conference

Onboard machine learning is an increasingly important topic in spaceflight systems, as machine learning and AI models are increasingly used for data processing, anomaly detection, attitude control systems, and other predictive applications. However, successfully deploying a machine learning model in a spaceflight computing environment is fraught with difficulty, as spaceflight computing environments are low-resource, but typical machine learning software solutions are implemented in languages like Python, which require an interpreter and other heavyweight dependencies. It is therefore virtually mandatory for any on-spacecraft machine learning to be written with lightweight toolkits that minimize dependencies and resource usage.

We demonstrate a solution …

A Miniaturized, High Geometric Factor, Electrostatic Analyzer For Fast Plasma Measurements, Dhiren Kataria, Justyna M. Sokol, Jianliang Lin, Camden Ertley, Jonathan Gasser, Guy Grubbs, Kwang-Joo Hwang, Michael Starkey

Small Satellite Conference

With advances in machining techniques that can manufacture high aspect ratio structures at high accuracy, cylindrical geometry electrostatic analyzers present a versatile alternative to spherical designs. We report on the development of the 3D Cylindircal And Tiny Spectrometer (3D-CATS), a novel space plasma analyzer that performs instantaneous 3D (multiple energy, azimuth and elevation angles) measurements, providing differential energy, wide field of view particle imaging in a compact, low-SWaP (size, weight and power) package.

The baseline analyzer design consists of a nest of 8 cylindrical analyzers, providing measurements of incoming particle energy distributions over an energy range of 10 eV to …

Optimization Of Orbit-Maintenance Strategies For Small Satellites In Cislunar Space, Timothy Lauinger, Bradley Cotten, Robert E. Zee

Small Satellite Conference

Renewed interest in lunar exploration and the development of a sustained cislunar economy has driven demand for low-cost missions supporting mapping, communications networks, navigation services, and scientific studies. Recent growth in rideshare opportunities to the Moon has made small-satellite architectures a viable and cost-effective approach for these missions. Successful execution of these missions, however, depends critically on fuel-efficient and reliable orbital insertion and maintenance strategies, as cislunar missions impose substantially higher delta V requirements than low-Earth orbit missions due to the inherent instability of low lunar orbits. Perturbations arising primarily from lunar mass concentrations drive secular growth in orbital eccentricity …

Nasa Stari Mission: A Formation-Flying Pathfinder For Space Interferometry, Akshat Dubey, Caden Burkhardt, Raven St. Clair, Austin Thomas, Tobey Chang, Shivani Sunil, Jacob Klingler, Bradley Bialke, Hannah Cherry, Adrien Boissy, Yethinder Ragav Lakshmi Kumar, Daniil Voloshin, Michael Meyer, John D. Monnier, James W. Cutler, Ethan Foss, Samuel Y. W. Low, Antonio Rizza, Simone D'Amico, Althea Noonan, Mark Gorrow, E. Glenn Lightsey, Melissa Flores, Alexa Lapinta, Albert Ostoja-Starzewski, Leonid Pogorelyuk, Gautam Vasisht, Kerri Cahoy

Small Satellite Conference

The STarlight Acquisition and Reflection toward Interferometry (STARI) mission is a NASA-funded two spacecraft 8U CubeSat technology demonstrator currently in Phase B designed to advance key capabilities required for future space-based optical interferometers. STARI will demonstrate end-to-end beam transfer by reflecting starlight from one spacecraft to another and injecting the received beam into a single-mode optical fiber when it launches in 2029. Formation flying and transferring starlight at very close proximities (25-200 m) presents GNC challenges such as collision safety, precision position control, and fast, precise beam control. The mission ConOps along with a sophisticated GNC system enables passively safe …

Software Defined Swarms, Nathan Benz, Scott Miller, Jeff Huang, Sonny Hwang, Todd Sarshad, Edmund De La Cruz, Thomas Magesarcher

Small Satellite Conference

The Starling Extended Mission has demonstrated the transformative potential of software-defined architectures in multi-spacecraft swarms. Building on the original Starling mission, which validated autonomous coordination and networking among small satellites, the extended phase focused on adaptability—updating onboard payload software and software-defined radios (SDRs) to enable entirely new experiments without hardware modifications. This capability signals a new approach: spacecraft swarms can evolve post-launch to meet emerging scientific and operational objectives. 

Central to this extension was the deployment of new software enabling two-way ranging and “reverse GPS” source identification using raw radio frequency (RF) signals. Traditionally, ranging and navigation rely on pre-integrated …

Sar Disksat Demonstration Mission For Constellation In Vleo, Hirobumi Saito, Mitsuteru Kaneoka

Small Satellite Conference

We proposed a novel concept of quasi-two-dimensional SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellites, SAR DiskSats, in 2023 at this conference. This year, in 2026, the demonstration missions of SAR DiskSats are authorized by the Japanese government as a Space Strategy Fund’s Mission. This paper describes the concept and the mission scenario of the demonstration mission in 2028 and 2030. The SAR DiskSat features a deployable passive slot array antenna that can be compactly folded within the quasi-two-dimensional satellite body. This configuration allows for flexible solar cell sheets to be installed on the backside of the antenna, as the antennas do not …

Asynchronous One-Way Range (Aowr) – Alone Positioning And The Applications, Junichiro Kawagichi, Shingo Nishimoto

Small Satellite Conference

The paper first reports the recent operational results of the HOKUSHIN satellite. It explains how our extended code correlation method has performed and provides link threshold information, specifically the demonstrated C/N0 figures. The paper next focuses on cis-lunar space applications, beginning with direct AOWR-alone positioning directly from Earth using three or more small-aperture ground stations. The application employs a ‘Self-Positioning’ strategy. This system operates in cis-lunar space with 3-meter-class ground stations and CubeSats larger than 6U in size equipped with 200x300 mm patch-array antennas on. It enables universities and startups to conduct genuine lunar exploration. The team won the Strategic …

Radiation-Resilient Ai For Small Satellites: A Universal Multi-Bit Edac Architecture For Protecting On-Board Neural Network Models In Memory And Storage, Yin Sun, Nauman Wazir, Joseph Chang, Kwen-Siong Chong, Wei Shu, Hocklai They

Small Satellite Conference

The deployment of onboard artificial intelligence (AI) on small satellites enables real-time Earth-observation triage, object detection, and event-driven tasking with reduced dependence on downlink. These capabilities rely on the integrity of neural network parameters (weights and biases) stored across both volatile memory and non-volatile storage (e.g., DRAM/SRAM and SSD/SD/UFS/eMMC). In low-Earth orbit (LEO), radiation-induced upsets can flip bits in commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) memory and storage, corrupting model parameters and degrading inference accuracy. Such degradation can manifest as persistent misclassification or missed detections. Existing mitigation options are often difficult to scale within small-satellite constraints: Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) incurs substantial mass and …

Intelligence Where Data Is Born: Vision Transformer-Based On-Orbit Change Detection For Earth Sensing, Matthew Morabito, Faries Tadros, Catherine Ordun, Michael S. Sellers, Daniel Wald

Small Satellite Conference

This paper introduces a model framework for autonomous hyperspectral segmentation that couples a foundation model with a supervised segmentation head to enable compact, high performance on-orbit scene understanding. This approach is designed to deliver end-to-end onboard processing, inference, confidence scoring, and prioritization so the spacecraft performs interpretation at or near image collection time and minimizes downlink usage by transmitting only high-value or high-interest outputs rather than full image streams. A key design element is adaptive intelligence over mission lifetime: low-size, over-the-air partial models updates as small as kb-scale enable post-launch retuning and mission-specific refinement without GB-scale data transfer. By reusing …

The Quantum Cubesat: A Perspective For Quantum Technology In Orbit, Natalie Pearson, Andrew Kelly, Curtis Talbot, Colin Aitken, Kevin Quillen, Sandy Provan

Small Satellite Conference

Motivation

The ability to measure, control and exploit quantum effects has shown significant potential to outperform classical devices across a variety of applications in computing, sensing and communication. However, quantum devices today typically depend equipment that is large, heavy, expensive and delicate. Bringing quantum capability to space requires a relentless focus on miniaturisation, ruggedisation and applicability. Focusing engineering efforts on the most promising technologies to realise their benefits in orbit is a crucial step in this process.

Systems Progress Overview Of Rosisat: The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite, Chase Patterson, Jacob Blanton, Jayden Mcdonald, Kylie Nager, Colson Walker, Francisco Crespo Cutillas

Small Satellite Conference

Exposure to space weather in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space weather environment poses significant challenges to both the integrity and longevity of orbital hardware, as well as the health of astronauts, driving the necessity for improved means of radiation shielding for future manned and unmanned missions. With a 1U CubeSat formfactor, ROSISat is a planned LEO mission that aims to characterize the radiation shielding capabilities of seven candidate materials. By comparing the shielding performance of each composite and constituent material, ROSISat will place a specific focus on correlating how molecular structure influences radiation shielding. Further, current simulations lack the …

Experimental Investigation Of "Structured Radio Wave" Propagation Using A Deployable Parabolic Reflector With A Uniform Circular Array, Makoto Ito, Tsukasa Funane, Yosuke Tanabe, Miki Yonehara, Hisatoshi Kimura, Keigo Nakamura, Yasuyuki Miyazaki, Satoshi Ikari, Shinichi Nakasuka, Ayako Torisaka, Koichi Watanabe

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented at the 2026 Small Satellite Conference

Lego®-Based Cubesats For Space Outreach, Stefan Brandle, Joshua Brown, Evan Smith, Drew Nye, Sydney Reddy, Twidy Kwae, Kaiya Grzesiak, Matthew Roderer, John Hetz

Small Satellite Conference

Taylor University Computer Science and Engineering is building a satellite having a LEGO®-robotics-based payload.

Mission Goals

• Have university students build a novel ELEO satellite
• Demonstrate viability of LEGO robotics electronics in space for short-term low-altitude missions
• Enhance space awareness by capturing the public's imagination through integral use of LEGO in an actual satellite
• Identify partners willing to provide advice and promote this project
• Create additional pathways for K-12 and university student participation in building satellites and satellite-related projects
• Support other space-education organizations through a high-visibility satellite project
• Continue space outreach efforts in the spirit of the ThinSat project
• ThinSat was …

Reacquiring Satellites After Unknown Maneuvers In Sensor Blind Spots: A Physics-Informed Behavioral Framework For Closed-Loop Custody Recovery, Naushad Rahman, Niha Agarwalla, Hardik Patel

Small Satellite Conference

Operational problem

After a maneuver during a sensor blind spot, a pre­-gap catalog state may no longer be operationally sufficient. A null look at GS2 must become evidence for where the object could be­ – and where to task next – before access expires.

Validation Of Steering Law For A 4-Variable-Speed Single-Gimbal Control Moment Gyroscope Pyramid Cluster Via Spherical Air-Bearing Testbed, Kai Kuo Liao, Chih Ta Wu, Jen Hao Cheng, Po Hsun Yen, Shang Jung Lee

Small Satellite Conference

• VSCMG: wheel speed is commanded with gimbal rate — the extra DOF lets the cluster slide past singularities.
• HIL: a Helmholtz cage replays the on-orbit field and a solar simulator sets the Sun line.
• This work: HIL validation of a weighted-pseudoinverse steering law, 4-unit pyramid.

Leveraging Persistent L-Band Leo-To-Geo Relays For The Orchestration Of High-Bandwidth Optical Inter-Satellite Links, Jonathan Maier, Skylar A. Cox

Small Satellite Conference

As the already tremendous demand for data transfer in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) grows, Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication has emerged as a critical capability due to high data rates and inherent resilience attributes. However, the operational complexity of FSO, specifically the Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) process, requires significant operational planning. The narrow beamwidth of optical terminals requires precise spatial coordination, resulting in latency during link establishment, heavy reliance on scheduled ground-based commanding, and an impediment to agile, responsive, and ad hoc operations.

This paper presents a novel orchestration architecture utilizing Viasat’s L-band space relay network as a persistent, always-on …

Evaluating Performance Of Hardware-Accelerated Vessel Detection Algorithms, Michael Tietz, John Warner, Quinton Davidson, Douglas Carssow

Small Satellite Conference

Earth observing satellites contribute to the monitoring of maritime activity by enabling large-scale coverage of open water. For example, spacecraft data can be used to monitor and combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing that occurs in coastal and international waters across the globe. However, information latencies limit the utility of space-based sensors for operational users who need real-time situational awareness. These limitations are especially pronounced for small spacecraft with limited power generation and downlink capabilities. In recent years, the devices and tools that enable edge computing and near real-time downlink from small spacecraft have improved substantially. Equipped with these …

Metadata-Conditioned Dark-Frame Modelling And Hsdr-Scanfusion Denoising: A Physics-Informed Independent Tool For Low-Cost Hyperspectral Small-Satellite Calibration, Nooh Adnan, Kyaw Thiha, Raffael Gil Dela Cruz, Li Cheng Zheng, Faijul Amin, Areeba Khan, Sameha Tasnim, Sung Jegal, Yunhan Bao, Iliya Shofman

Small Satellite Conference

Hyperspectral imaging in the shortwave-infrared spectrum is valuable for orbital Earth observation, but its use on low-cost, resource-constrained small satellites is limited by thermally dependent dark current, fixed-pattern noise, and intermittent access to matched calibration frames. Traditional mitigation through active cooling, shutters, or frequent dark-frame acquisition can be difficult to accommodate within small-satellite mass, power, volume, and operations budgets. This paper presents a physics-informed independent calibration tool that reconstructs condition-matched dark response from acquisition metadata rather than relying on hardware-heavy calibration at every operating point. The framework combines a stochastic dark-noise simulator, a metadata-conditioned neural dark operator that predicts spectral-spatial …

Development Of Wavelength-Division-Multiplexed All-Optical Relays For Low-Earth Orbit Free-Space Optical Communication Networks, Travis Jones, Justin Cook, Chris Krush, Doruk Engin, Keith G. Petrillo

Small Satellite Conference

In this work, we designed, built, and tested an all-optical relay amplifier to enable a space-based all-optical backbone for laser communications networks. The design sought to optimize links for LEO-based networks incorporating appropriate span lengths and optical terminal specifications. We incorporate an add-drop multiplexer for rerouting signals and designed the system to be flexible over span lengths with a nominal range of 1,800 km. We performed several tests of the nominally 60 dB gain amplifier to assess link dynamics unique to free space optical communications (FSOC) including the impact of pointing jitter, nonlinearities, gain flattening, and wide-band filters on an …

Event-Driven Spacecraft Operations Demonstrated On Mms, Miles Bengtson, Alexander Barrie, Joseph Patton, Liam Greenlee, Paul Wood, Marcus Piquette, Russell Bjella, Matthew Chang, Joshua Paul

Small Satellite Conference

Operations engineers face the challenging task of capturing high-value science data while maintaining spacecraft health and functionality and responding to a dynamic space environment using limited information. This task is becoming increasingly complex as missions involve increasingly large numbers of spacecraft, target more elusive science signatures, and operate under growing budget and staffing constraints. Conventional pre-programmed time-sequence commands become increasingly burdensome for multi-spacecraft missions and are fundamentally incapable of reacting to rare, transient science events in real time.

To address this challenge, we have developed MEDOS: the Module for Event-Driven Operations of Spacecraft. Unlike machine learning and neural-network approaches, MEDOS …

Demonstration Of Bidirectional Tracking And Data Transfer With The Cubeisl Optical Communication Terminal, Jan Hildebrand, Hannes Zeihsel, René Rüddenklau, Jorge Rosano Nonay, Lukas Rodeck, Olman Quiros Jimenez

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the experimental results of a free-space optical link validating the capabilities of two integrated CubeISL terminals. The campaign serves as a verification of the tracking, pointing and acquisition of the terminals before launch of the CubeISL mission. The link was conducted over a distance of 6600 m between the rooftop of the DLR Institute of Communication and Navigation in Oberpfaffenhofen and a 80 m high radio tower in Schöngeising. To ensure robust link establishment, the system employed a Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking scheme utilizing both a 10 kHz modulated beacon for initial acquisition and a Continuous Wave …

Recovery Of Grus-1e From Magnetic Torquer Loss Using Data-Driven Open-Loop Attitude Steering, Nader Ganaba, Takanori Iwata, Minoru Kurata

Small Satellite Conference

In typical low Earth orbit (LEO) operations, the inability to remove excess angular momentum often leads to the decommissioning of a satellite. This paper presents the on-orbit recovery of GRUS-1E, a hundred kg class Earth observation satellite in Axelspace Corporation’s GRUS-1 constellation. The recovery followed the permanent loss of magnetic torquer commanding capability, which in turn disabled the satellite’s nominal reaction wheel momentum unloading. In addition, the satellite experienced persistent disturbance torques that significantly exceeded the combined contributions predicted by standard models, including gravity gradient, solar radiation pressure, aerodynamic drag, and the estimated residual magnetic dipole moment. The magnitude of …

The Landolt Mission Payload: An Artificial Star For Precision Astronomy, Peter Pachowicz, Peter Plavchan, Gabrielle Belle, Jay Deorukhkar, Philip Cunio, Eliad Peretz, John Mather, Peter Kurczynski, Angelle Tanner, Susana Deustua, Brian Alberding, Joseph Rice, Thomas Michaud-Baeyens, Jean-Thomomas Landry, Marc-Andre Boucher, David Ciardi, Mike Lund, Justin Albert, Greg Alderling, Brian Stalder, Daniel Stevens, Jamie Tayar, Daniel Kuesters, Tabetha Boyajian

Small Satellite Conference

The Landolt Mission represents a significant advancement in space-based instrumentation, serving as NASA’s first hybrid space mission. Central to the mission is a smallsat deployed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO), carrying the SI Traceable Absolute Radiometer [STAR] comprised of two Laser Instruments (LI) and an Element Wheel technology demonstrator. The LI utilizes six specialized Laser Trays to project SI-calibrated light beams at various wavelengths into ground telescopes. By creating a stable, SI-traceable calibration source, the Landolt mission aims to provide an unprecedented level of precision in astronomical observations. These advancements are expected to facilitate transformative discoveries in exoplanet host stars, supernova …

Noaa Nesdis Commercial Data Program Using Small Satellites For Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Data, Marc Gasbarro, Natalie Laudier, Harshesh Patel, Gerald Peltzer, Chunhui Pan

Small Satellite Conference

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) Commercial Data Program (CDP) successfully engages with the private sector to acquire commercial space-based environmental observation data to diversify, streamline, and improve NOAA's observations and to meet NOAA’s mission objectives. The NESDIS CDP manages two lines of effort, the Commercial Data Pilot projects to demonstrate the quality and impact of commercial data on NOAA applications and the Commercial Data Purchases to support operational weather and space weather applications. NESDIS CDP leverages commercial companies’ use of innovative Small Satellite (SmallSat) collection platforms. NESDIS CDP procures data …

Monitoring Spoken Language In Infants And Toddlers Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Using The Lena Developmental Snapshot, Monika-Maria Oster, Kimberly A. Peters

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Purpose: This retrospective analysis evaluates the Developmental Snapshot as a language monitoring tool for infants and toddlers with bilateral hearing loss who use listening and spoken language.

Method: Data were obtained from the educational and clinical records of 147 children with bilateral hearing loss. For each child, the LENA (Language ENvironment Analysis) Developmental Snapshot, a standardized online language assessment that relies on parent report, had been completed at least once. When available, scores from other standardized language assessments (PLS-5, CDI, and DAYC-2) were also obtained.

Results: LENA Developmental Snapshot standard scores were characterized by high variability and mean scores in …

A Survey Study On Physiological Hearing Assessment Practice In The Usa, Malina Mangrum, Hasan Saleh, Sangamanatha Ankmnal Ankmnal Veeranna, Kimberly Ward, Charles G. Marx

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Background: In the United States, limited information exists regarding the physiological measures and testing parameters used in infant hearing assessments. To address this gap, we conducted a nationwide survey to identify the types of physiological tests and procedures currently employed by audiologists.

Method: A structured survey was distributed to audiologists across the country to gather information about the auditory tests and recording parameters used in infant hearing evaluations.

Results: Most respondents reported using Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABRs) to estimate infant hearing thresholds, primarily relying on traditional stimuli rather than chirp stimuli. The Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) was not widely used …

Measuring Family Involvement In Early Intervention Services For Children Who Are Dhh: A Scoping Review, Marie Martinez, Blair Richlin, Kristina Blaiser

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Background: Family involvement after a child has been identified as deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) is often recommended as “best practice” for Family Centered Early Intervention (FCEI; Szarkowski et al., 2024) and a catalyst for improved outcomes. Defining actions of a family will inform high-quality family support programs. This scoping review aims to explore and document family involvement as well as the current systems of measurement used in early intervention DHH family-centered services.

Purpose: The specific aim of this scoping review was to identify the operational definitions of family involvement and metrics used with families of children who are …

Exploring Speech-Language Pathologists’ Development Of Hearing Loss Health Literacy, Ellie Cooper, Krystal L. Werfel

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

Purpose. This qualitative study examined how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) develop hearing loss health literacy through academic training and on-the-job experience. Specifically, it explored SLPs’ perspectives on how graduate coursework and clinical exposure contributed to their readiness to work with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH).

Method. Participants included 48 SLPs with a range of specialty academic coursework and on-the-job experience working with children who are DHH. SLPs were categorized into four groups: with/without specialty academic training in aural (re)habilitation and more/fewer than three years of experience with at least ten children who are DHH. Semi-structured interviews were …

Early Childhood Access To Language Acquisition Services In Arizona, Kendra Benedict, Wendy Steuerwald, Najwa Ghattas, Cheryl Johnson

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

This investigation reviewed existing services and gaps for young children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in Arizona and explored community-based approaches to improve access to language development resources. The study was conducted in two phases, each focusing on different approaches for language acquisition based on surveys of parents and providers. Phase I, completed in 2024, addressed listening and spoken language (LSL) as a methodology for language acquisition while Phase II, completed in 2025, focused on the use of American Sign Language (ASL). Findings from Phase I surveys found that 63% of parents reported using LSL as the …

Journal Of Early Hearing Detection And Intervention: Volume 11 Issue 1, Pages 1-80

Journal of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention

No abstract provided.