Da Vinci Satellite – Roll Of The Dice

The Da Vinci Satellite project is a non-profit initiative started at the Delft University of Technology to inspire and enthuse the youth to learn more about technology and space travel. The team does this by focussing on demystifying space and making it a fun and engaging subject. The non-profit student team is divided into different sub teams,...

Space Surveillance Network Capabilities Evaluation Mission

The last years saw the diffusion of nano, pico and femto satellite missions launched by multiple entities thanks to the launch cost reduction and the electronics miniaturization. Such missions usually present limited capabilities in terms of precise orbit determination and extremely small radar and optical cross-sections. Often these missions...

Command and data handling systems

This chapter provides an overview of the command and data handling system (CDHS) in small satellites and CubeSats. The chapter presents first analysis of radiation effects, specifically targeted at this subsystem, to justify components and architecture choices. Improvements in radiation testing strategies are also presented, specifically for...

Utility and constraints of PocketQubes

PocketQubes are a form factor of highly miniaturized satellites with a body of one or more cubic units of 5 cm. In this paper, the characteristics of PocketQubes in terms of their constraints and their (potential) utility are treated. To avoid space debris and limit collision risk, the orbits of PocketQubes need to be constraint. An analysis...

Miniaturized Radio Tranceiver for PocketQubes, Exceeding Performance of CubeSat Solutions

In this paper, a detailed design is presented of a communications module that is designed to fit tight PocketQube design budgets but still offer performance at least comparable to commercial off-the-shelf CubeSat solutions. The communications module features extremely efficient power usage, less than 2 Watt DC for 1 Watt RF output while fitting...

A Pico-Satellite Design to Demonstrate Trajectory and Science Applications

This paper presents the design, integration and testing of a pico satellite, Delfi-PQ, a 3P PocketQube developed by Delft University of Technology, expected to be launched at the end of 2020. The main goal of this project is creating a miniaturized platform for future space missions with performances comparable to CubeSats, taking advantage of...

A Multi Frequency Deployable Antenna System for Delfi-PQ

This paper presents the design of a multi-frequency deployable antenna system for femto-satellites as part of the Delfi-PQ project, a PocketQube with a size of 50x50x178 mm which is being developed by the Delft University of Technology. This new form factor brings its own challenges on every subsystem and it is seen as a stepping stone towards...

Design of a Micro-Propulsion Subsystem for a PocketQube

This papers gives an insight on different sub topics related to a micro-propulsion subsystem for a PocketQube. First, PocketQubes will be introduced and then Delfi-PQ will be presented, providing an overview of the mission for which this micro-propulsion system will be used. Step by step, the paper will explain the subsystem, its challenges,...

Getting the Delfi-PQ Ready for Multiple Launch Options

PocketQubes represent a new type of cube-shaped platforms with dimensions of 50x50 mm and mass of 250 g. Just like the CubeSats, these platforms are also split in units which are referred to as 1P. The Delft University of Technology has been working on Delfi-PQ, a 3P PocketQube with the dimensions of 50x50x178 mm. This miniaturized size brings...

Delfi-PQ: The first pocketqube of Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology has embarked on PocketQubes to showcase as the next class of miniaturized satellites. In the past decade, CubeSats have grown towards a successful business with mature capabilities. PocketQubes, however, are still in their infancy. The small size of the PocketQubes will trigger innovations in miniaturization and...

Condititions and Potential Applications for PocketQubes

PocketQubes are a new form factor of highly miniaturized satellites with a body of one or more cubic units of 5 cm. The characteristics of PocketQubes in terms or legal and regulatory aspects, the technological readiness levels and financial considerations are assessed. In particular, an analysis of orbital decay characteristics has been carried...

A New Approach on the Physical Architecture of CubeSats & PocketQubes

The dominant architectural approach in CubeSats and PocketQubes is the use of modular physical units, each hosting (part of the) components of classical (virtual) subsystems. Many of these small satellites, however, also host subsystems or experiments with slightly alternative approach, e.g. with cellularization of components or the integration...

A New Approach on the Physical Architecture of CubeSats & PocketQubes

The dominant architectural approach in CubeSats and PocketQubes is the use of modular physical units, each hosting (part of the) components of classical (virtual) subsystems. Many of these small satellites, however, also host<br/>subsystems or experiments with slightly alternative approach, e.g. with cellularization of components or the...

A New Electrical Power System Architecture For Delfi-PQ

Due to strict constraint regarding the volume of a PocketQube (50x50x50 mm) it is crucial to reduce the space that is consumed by the satellite bus subsystems. This paper focuses on a new architecture for the electrical subsystem in order to reduce its volume and increase the usage of empty surfaces inside the satellite. This increment in volume...