Digital Commons Network^™

Deploying And Operating The 25-Satellite Kinéis Constellation, Challenges And Lessons Learned, Franck Darnon, Anissa Bahri, Silvia Salas, Isabelle Hernandez, Damien Servant

Small Satellite Conference

This Kinéis constellation is made of 25 30kg-class satellites, equipped with electric propulsion. The missions are dedicated to IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity and to AIS (Automatic Identification System) monitoring. The satellites were launched by batches of 5, the first took place in June 2024, the last one in March 2025.

The paper discusses how the Ground Control Segment was developed and validated within a complex system and with strong schedule constraints. The validation plan was designed to rapidly de-risk the challenges due to multi- satellite aspects, to focus on a …

Arctic Weather Satellite - One Year In Orbit, Joakim Kugelberg, Niklas Ahlgren, Enne Hekma, Benjamin Jouanneau, Johan Riesbeck

Small Satellite Conference

The European Space Agency's Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) Proto-flight Model was successfully launched on August 16, 2024. Based on the OHB Sweden’s Innosat platform, the satellite carries a microwave sounder developed by AAC Omnisys. This paper presents the project execution, which balanced a short development schedule and tight cost boundaries, while ensuring that the mission could provide high quality meteorological data. Being a prototype for the design of the satellites to be deployed in the planned EPS-Sterna constellation, the in-orbit commissioning of AWS is crucial to validate the performance of the space segment.

A key objective of the Arctic Weather …

Reaching Full Operating Capability With The Tomorrow.Io Weather Constellation, Scott Williams, Emma Watson, Jan Wicha, Joe Munchak

Small Satellite Conference

The Tomorrow.io weather constellation leverages advances in small satellite technology and the emergence of affordable rideshare options to provide timely, global weather measurements using a constellation of precipitation radars and passive microwave sounders. The focus of this paper is on the design and deployment of Tomorrow.io’s CubeSats carrying passive microwave radiometers known as Tomorrow.io Microwave Sounders (TMS). The TMS instrument design is based on technology transitioned from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL) with technology insertions to improve performance. TMS will achieve full operating capability (FOC) with 12 satellites in a hybrid mix of sun synchronous and mid inclination orbits. …

Starling 1.5 – Space Traffic Coordination Amongst Autonomously Maneuvering Spacecraft, Theodore Hendriks, Matthew Hejduk, Steven Hu, Scott Miller, Caleb Adams, Nathan Benz, Soon Hwang, Terry Stevenson

Small Satellite Conference

Starling 1.5 is a space traffic coordination mission extension to NASA’s successful Starling swarm technology demonstration. NASA partnered with SpaceX to field and demonstrate a space traffic coordination system that allows different satellite owner/operators to rapidly screen trajectories and either claim or refuse maneuver responsibility for mitigating conjunctions, or close approaches, all without human operators in the loop.

Starlink satellites routinely perform autonomous risk mitigation maneuvers (RMMs) to reduce the probability of collision (Pc) for conjunctions with active satellites and other orbital objects such as debris. The NASA Starling primary mission included an autonomous maneuvering capability, which raised the question …

Development Of An Intervention For Optimizing Values Discussions Between Patients With An Lvad, Their Family Caregivers, And The Healthcare Team, Avery C. Bechthold, Rachel D. Wells, Colleen K. Mcilvennan, Martha Abshire Saylor, Daniel D. Matlock, Jesse Lejeune, J. Nicholas Odom

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

This project aimed to characterize how adults living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and their family/friend caregivers engage in values-centered discussions, with the goal of informing future interventions that promote values-centered communication with the healthcare team.

Effect Of Informal Marital Separations On Personal Income Taxation, Carol S. Bruch

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Conceptual Design Of An Integrated Small Satellite Environmental Testing Platform: Addressing Subsystem Integration Challenges, Benjamin Ochs, Michael Harrigan, Victoria Coverstone

Small Satellite Conference

Environmental testing for small satellites often relies on separate systems to simulate space conditions, resulting in inefficiencies, increased operating costs, and challenges in accurately modeling the complex environment. This paper presents the conceptual design of an integrated testing platform that combines thermal, vacuum, solar, magnetic, navigation, and attitude control simulations into a single piece of hardware to provide reliable mission assurance. The design emphasizes the modifications required to overcome unique interactions between subsystems, enabling simultaneous, realistic environmental qualification of small satellites while reducing cost and complexity.

The fully integrated environmental testing system incorporates a thermal vacuum chamber (TVAC) with an …

Efficient Adaptive Thruster Control Strategies For Nanosatellite Attitude Control, Tian Cilliers, Willem Herman Steyn, Hendrik Willem Jordaan

Small Satellite Conference

This work explores the use of online estimation techniques to enhance advanced thruster-only attitude control strategies. Classical fixed-gain feedback control and newer model predictive control (MPC) based approaches all suffer from reduced efficiency or performance when the system parameters deviate from their nominal values. By incorporating optimal estimation techniques, this can be avoided and deviations from nominal values can be leveraged for fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR).

Specifically, this work investigates the use of extended Kalman filters (EKF) to estimate parameters such as thruster torque and disturbances in real time, using satellite attitude measurements and known control inputs. In …

Finch Eye: The Optical And Optomechanical Design Of A Grism-Based Swir Hyperspectral Imaging Payload For A 3u Cubesat, Iliya Shofman, Mario Ghio Neto, Theaswanth Ganesh, Kenya He, Aidan Armstrong, Ksenya Narkevich

Small Satellite Conference

Crop residue is an important metric used for agricultural land-use monitoring and climate science research. Estimating crop residue coverage is essential to sustainable agricultural practices. There already exist scientific hyperspectral satellites, such as PRISMA and EnMAP, that can be used for crop residue estimation; however, they are very expensive to build and cannot be monopolized by individual farms. This leaves a gap in satellite remote sensing solutions which can be deployed operationally and at the farm scale. We seek to fill this gap by developing a low-cost satellite solution for crop residue estimation. The University of Toronto Aerospace Team is …

Extremely Low-Cost Optical Receiver For Extremely Low Resource Optical Identifiers, Ashin Alex, Joseph Ashby, Kevin Walker, Brennan Chai, Catherine Qualtrough, John E. Cater, Nicholas J. Rattenbury

Small Satellite Conference

Space object identification (SOI) is essential for space traffic management, situational awareness, and mission operations. The Extremely Low Resource Optical Identifier (ELROI), developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory, provides a persistent and interference-free identification method for small satellites through a self-powered optical beacon. ELROI transmits a unique identification code via low-power laser pulses, enabling ground stations to identify spaceborne assets without relying on traditional radio beacons. However, the efficacy of the ELROI system relies on the widespread availability of highly sensitive and cost-effective ground-based optical receivers. To address this need, we are developing a low-cost optical receiver capable of detecting …

Hermes: A Satellite Surrogate Communication Testbed For Ground-Station Validation Using Software Defined Radio And Openc3 Cosmos, Luiz Felipe Bromfman, Gustavo Gargioni, Zach Leffke, Jonathan Black

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

In-Orbit Reprogramming Of Satellite’S Fpgas, John Cone

Small Satellite Conference

This document discusses the development of a system to reprogram an FPGA that is located on a satellite in orbit. The new image for the FPGA will be telemetered to the satellite and passed as command data to the subsystem containing the FPGA. The method for reprogramming is robust, verifies that the FPGA image was not corrupted during transmission, and does not rely on the current image or functionality of the FPGA.

Small satellites use Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to interface with the satellite computer and other instruments such as cameras and sensors. These FPGAs are traditionally programmed on …

Navigation Signal Generator For Leo-Pnt On Cubesat Platforms, Ina Jeong, Pilkyo Jeong, O-Jong Kim

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Satellite Navigation With Earth Islands For Scope-1, S. Anand Agrawal, Brandon A. Jones

Small Satellite Conference

Spacecraft optical navigation can deliver autonomous navigation onboard when Earth-based tracking is saturated, obstructed, or impractical. Optical navigation relies on the correspondences between detected and known or mapped features in imagery to extract position and/or velocity, and data-driven methods, which directly leverage collected data to learn, can improve detection performance. This paper presents an initial data-driven Earth-based detection system using islands as landmarks for the SpaceCraft for Optical- based Position Estimation-1 (SCOPE-1) 3U CubeSat, which will be paired on board with a physics-based estimation framework. The system consists of an island detector trained on Earth observation imagery of islands, an …

Simulation-Based Evaluation Of Dual-Mode Propulsion Strategies For Small Satellite Collision Avoidance, Michael Harrigan, Charles Cundiff, Joshua L. Rovey, Victoria Coverstone

Small Satellite Conference

As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) becomes increasingly congested, small satellite missions face growing challenges in executing effective collision avoidance maneuvers under limited time and propellant constraints. Dual-mode propulsion systems, combining high-thrust chemical and high-specific impulse electric modes, offer a promising approach to balance rapid response with propellant conservation. This paper evaluates how such systems can be applied to reduce the Probability of Collision (PC) within constrained maneuver windows using sequential chemical-electric burns.

A FreeFlyer-based simulation framework models dual-mode collision avoidance maneuvers across synthetic LEO scenarios. For each case, user-defined mission parameters, such as lead time, PC threshold, and orbital altitude, …

Rosisat - The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite, Steven Insignares, Jacob Blanton, Colson Walker

Small Satellite Conference

• The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite (ROSISat) is an ongoing 1U CubeSat project designed to study the effectiveness of various materials as shielding against single-event upsets and effects on computer memory modules in Earth orbit.
• ROSISat is a student project managed under the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), a registered student organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
• It is one of three projects from ERORA presented at this conference, alongside tBEARR and SATLASS.
• ROSISat aims to be the first of ERORA’s projects to be launched and operational in LEO, serving to develop CubeSat flight heritage at ERAU.

An Inter-Satellite Link Experiment On Pearl-1a And Pearl-1b Cubesats, Yun-Ru Chen, Wei-Rong Huang, Chi-Kuang Chao, Jen-Ming Wu

Small Satellite Conference

PEARL (Propagation Experiment using kurz-Above-band radio in Low earth orbit) -1A and PEARL-1B are two 6U XL CubeSats integrated by National Central University (NCU) are designed to perform space-to-earth and inter-satellite radio propagation channel experiments over Taiwan for educational training and scientific research. Both CubSats have the same structures and configurations. Each CubeSat will carry three payloads, an Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) payload, a Compact Ionospheric Probe (CIP), and a Perovskite Solar Cell (PSC) payload. The ISL enables over-the-horizon radio communication experiments, utilizing the Ka-band for both inter-satellite communication and space-to-ground communications. The CIP is an all-in-one in-situ ion sensor developed …

Korucusat: A Student-Led Cubesat Mission Investigating Solar-Ionospheric Interactions And Promoting Stem Education, Tejash Gupta, Karthik Kuppuswamy, Zhaoheng Li, Eesa Abdulraouf, Cyrus Khabbaz

Small Satellite Conference

The Astronomy Society of Fulton Science Academy (ASFSA) is developing KorucuSAT, a 3U CubeSat designed to both inspire K–12 students through hands-on aerospace education and investigate how soft X-ray solar radiation impacts the Earth's F2 ionospheric layer. The satellite carries a Langmuir probe, three-axis magnetometer, and soft X-ray detector to correlate solar radiation with plasma parameters and geomagnetic activity, data critical to understanding disruptions in GNSS, HF communication, and radar systems. In parallel with its science goals, KorucuSAT is a platform for educational outreach, including classroom workshops, MIT Beaver Works curriculum integration, and a FlatSat-based Python coding challenge. The mission …

Lessons Learned In Establishing Student-Led Satellite Operations, Shirish Pandam, Avery Barriga, John Connolly, Helen Reed

Small Satellite Conference

AggieSat6 (AGS6) is a 6U CubeSat designed and developed by students at Texas A&M University through the University Nanosatellite Program (NS-10) cycle. Its mission demonstrates a space-based RF array for Space Domain Awareness and collects low-energy electron radiation data to improve existing models.

Students lead all in-flight operations, gaining hands-on experience in mission control experience. Key challenges include interface development, maintaining system knowledge, and mitigating the effects of frequent student turnover.

The University Of South Carolina's Journey To The Launchpad, Patrick Bailey, Wout De Backer

Small Satellite Conference

A student team at the University of South Carolina is currently working to address the state’s needs for astronautics to both students and to the economy through collaborative efforts with other state institutions. This paper intends to cover the mission concept formulation, areas of beneficial technology development in space, and mission objectives that are to be accomplished for both human and technical capabilities within the state throughout the mission duration. The mission concept covers using 3D printing in space for on-orbit manufacturing capabilities, and the need for development of a computer vision algorithm and system for small space debris detection. …

Application Of Lambert’S Problem To An Electromagnetic Docking Maneuver, Amber Diaz, Steve Stochaj

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Development Of 6u Cubesat Vertecs Utilizing The Birds Bus System, Yukihisa Otani, Jose Rodrigo Cordova-Alarcon, Victor Hugo Schulz, Ryo Hashimoto, Kei Sano, Takao Nakagawa

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Physical Implementation Of Sprint (Space-Based Prioritized Real-Time Inter-Satellite Network Technology), Maleeha Altaf, Dalia Ammar Khodja, Ryan Adams, Sreejith Vidhyadharan Nair, Ronald Fevig

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Cadence-Swans: Continuous Autonomous Detection Enabling Networked Collaboration Explorers Of A Space Weather Anomaly Notification System, Matthew Chang, Kelly Williams, Pragun Bethapudi, Chloe Lau, Giselle Revolorio, Ella Shepherd

Small Satellite Conference

Through the University Nanosatellite Program (UNP), the Bronco Space Lab at Cal Poly Pomona presents Continuous Autonomous Detection Enabling Networked Collaboration Explorers of a Space Weather Anomaly Notification System (CADENCE–SWANS): a pathfinder mission demonstrating autonomous space weather monitoring using a low-latency, onboard radiation notification system. The spacecraft conducts coarse energy spectroscopy in real time to detect elevated radiation levels and autonomously generate notifications, including time-stamped records of detection-to-decision latency.

CADENCE–SWANS uses a novel compact, low-SWaP-C coarse particle energy spectrograph, constructed with varied thicknesses of shielding, to estimate particle energies without requiring precise pointing or expensive particle detectors. This approach enables …

Concluding Cysat-1: A Look At The Final Challenges Faced By Iowa State University's First Cubesat, John Elias, Inés Ahedo García, Sydney Schultz, Matthew Nelson

Small Satellite Conference

This paper discusses an overview of the CySat-1 mission, actions taken between its launch and deployment from the ISS, and issues identified in design that impacted the spacecraft’s performance until its re-entry in early January of 2025. The CySat-1 mission was the demonstration of a software-defined radio (SDR) total power radiometer to survey soil moisture. The successful demonstration of the SDR radiometer would have provided basis for future implementation by the SmallSat community by providing an easily customizable radiometer with increased performance versatility. The CySat-1 mission is part of Iowa State University’s (ISU) Make to Innovate (M2I) program, which is …

Development Of A Scalable Electrical And Mechanical Backplane For The Guaranisat-2 Cubesat Mission, Edgar Elias Ramirez Sosa

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the design, development, and validation of a custom backplane interface board for GuaraniSat-2, Paraguay's second nanosatellite. GuaraniSat-2 is a 3U CubeSat developed through a collaborative effort led by the Paraguayan Space Agency (AEP) and SpaceLab, with the active participation of stakeholders such as the Polytechnic and Engineering Faculties of the National University of Asunción (UNA), Catholic University of Asunción (UCA), the LIESE lab at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and Astradyne, an Italian startup spun off from the Polytechnic University of Bari (Politecnico di Bari). The backplane board functions as …

Sailing To The Stars: Free-Flying Light Sails In Microgravity, Verena Padres, Dionna Parina, Parishee Bajaj, Shashank Chalamalasetty, Cameron Goddard, Gabriella Elcsics-Gonzáles, Joshua Umansky-Castro, Claire Kim, Ethan Francolla, Mason Peck, Andrew Filo, Alex Burke

Small Satellite Conference

Sailing to the Stars is a mission led by students at Cornell University that will use the International Space Station (ISS) to gather data related to the deployment of free-flying light sails in microgravity. As this light sail architecture is relatively new, additional information on how the sail deploys and the optimal deployment system is desired. This information is relevant for guiding the design of future missions that use this technology. For this experiment, astronauts shall deploy six light sails from two different CubeSat-scale deployer designs within the ISS. Video footage and IMU data will be recorded throughout the experiment, …

Tbearr - Tardigrade Bio-Exploration Reproduction Research Satellite, Natalie Brattain, Kylie Nager, Joshua T. Lozano, Matas Ubartas, Chloe Nissen

Small Satellite Conference

The mission aims to launch four separate cultures of tardigrades aboard a 3U CubeSat to Low Earth Orbit to study the effects of UV and cosmic radiation on their genetics and cell composition, which may, in turn, affect their reproduction cycle.

• tBEARR is a 3U CubeSat mission under development by the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), an undergraduate research club at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL.

• Critical life support systems will be developed to maintain tardigrade viability as orbital experiments are being conducted.

• Tardigrades, in their cryptobiotic state, will be exposed to space radiation and …

Testing, Verification, And Qualification Of A Self-Developed Pcdu For The Student-Built Cubesat Source, Jan Freyhardt, Silas Neumann, Kevin Waizenegger, Daniel Galla, Sabine Klinkner

Small Satellite Conference

Poster presented during the 2025 SmallSat Conference.

Toward Trusted Onboard Ai: Advancing Small Satellite Operations Using Reinforcement Learning, Cannon Whitney, Joseph Melville

Small Satellite Conference

A Reinforcement Learning (RL) algorithm was developed for command automation onboard a 3U CubeSat. This effort focused on the implementation of macro Control Action Reinforcement Learning (CARL), a technique in which an onboard agent is provided with compiled information based on live telemetry as its observation. The agent uses this information to produce high-level actions, such as adjusting attitude to solar pointing, which are then translated into control algorithms and executed through lower-level instructions. Once trust in the onboard agent is established, real-time environmental information can be leveraged for faster response times and reduced reliance on ground control. The approach …