Use Reinforcement Learning to Generate Testing Commands for Onboard Software of Small Satellites

Programmers usually write test cases to test onboard software. However, this procedure is time-consuming and needs sufficient prior knowledge. As a result, small satellite developers may not be able to test the software thoroughly. <br/> <br/>A promising direction to solve this problem is reinforcement learning (RL) based testing. It searches...

Spin-in of RISC-V Processors in Space Embedded Systems

The usage of terrestrial processors in space applications is not straightforward, as processors in space face unique challenges due to the effects of the space environment, like ionizing radiation causing Single Event Effects (SEEs). In the nineties, the European Space Agency chose the Scalable Processor ARChitecture (SPARC) Instruction Set...

Microvibration test bench for tiny reaction wheels

Reaction wheels are often the main contributor to microvibrations on satellites. These vibrations are a source of pointing errors and therefore need to be limited as much as possible. The miniaturization trend in the space industry and universities fostered the production of very small reaction wheels, suited to Cubesat and PocketQube scales. A...

Autonomous navigation for deep space small satellites: Scientific and technological advances

In recent years, there is a growing interest in small satellites for deep space exploration. The current approach for planetary navigation is based on ground-based radiometric tracking. A new era of low-cost small satellites for space exploration will require autonomous deep space navigation. This will decrease the reliance on ground-based...

Autonomous Crosslink Radionavigation for a Lunar CubeSat Mission

This study presents an autonomous orbit determination system based on crosslink radiometric measurements applied to a future lunar CubeSat mission to clearly highlight its advantages with respect to existing ground-based navigation strategies. This work is based on the Linked Autonomous Interplanetary Satellite Orbit Navigation (LiAISON) method...

Introduce StarDetect to market: A roadmap towards small satellite application in Smart Tourism

The aerospace industry's global market rise considerably in recent years. StarDetect, founded in Beijing in 2020, is a startup focusing on small satellite technology, developing functional payloads and providing customised services within the needs of space astronomy or earth geography observation. However, due to the relatively short and...

Bi-modal solar thermal propulsion and power system: Modelling and optimisation for the next-generation of small satellites

Exploring and utilising space to benefit humankind is undeniably a costly venture where the higher the mass of the satellite, the higher the cost to launch. However, the rewards of space-related achievements are indisputable. These achievements range from increasing our understanding of the universe using satellites, such as the Hubble Space...

Design optimization of a novel inter-satellite downlink for small satellites to (mega-)constellations

Low downlink data rates limit the scientific and commercial return from small satellites. Now with constellations of small satellites becoming popular, the amount of data generated in low Earth orbit will be greater than ever. A novel data downlink architecture for small satellites is investigated that uses non-geostationary orbit (mega-...

Necessity of non-rigid body models for launch vehicles

In previous research, the necessity of non-rigid body simulators was stated to be a requirement for long, slender bodies. However, it remains unclear for which vehicle design parameters non-rigid body effects become destabilising. A set of 2+N linearly independent equations of motions can be combined in a single matrix to determine the motion of...

Agent-based architectures supporting fault-tolerance in small satellites

Since the launch of the first artificial satellite in October 1957, both satellite computers and their onboard software have changed significantly to integrate more functionalities and making mission operations more reliable. As a result, satellites have become more sophisticated and mission designers have moved functionality from the ground...

Modular impulsive green monopropellant propulsion system (Mimps-g): For cubesats in leo and to the moon

Green propellants are currently considered as enabling technology that is revolutionizing the development of high-performance space propulsion, especially for small-sized spacecraft. Modern space missions, either in LEO or interplanetary, require relatively high-thrust and impulsive capabilities to provide better control on the spacecraft,...

Review of state-of-the-art green monopropellants: For propulsion systems analysts and designers

Current research trends have advanced the use of “green propellants” on a wide scale for spacecraft in various space missions; mainly for environmental sustainability and safety concerns. Small satellites, particularly micro and nanosatellites, evolved from passive planetary-orbiting to being able to perform active orbital operations that may...

Geodetic parameter estimation for small-satellite small-body missions: An uncertainty-driven approach

This thesis work has been motivated by the growing interest in small-spacecraft small-body missions and more specifically inspired by a proposed mission to the largest Martian Trojan (5261) Eureka. This binary asteroid represents a promising target for a planetary mission, as a better understanding of its formation and evolution would provide...

Modular impulsive green-monopropellant propulsion system for micro/nano satellites high-thrust orbital maneuvers (MIMPS-G)

Innovation in small-satellite modern space missions and applications require propulsion capabilities to enable active operations in orbit, such as formation flying, rendezvous operations, orbital altitude &amp; inclination changes, and orbital transfers,– generally, operations demanding high-thrust impulsive maneuvers. In addition, Green...

A cost-effective avionics architecture to achieve high availability in small satellites

Enhanced Distributed Space Systems with Miniature Spacecraft: Spatial Distribution, Collision Analysis and Cooperative Communication

The repertoire of words in the English language to refer to groups of animals is quite fascinating to say the least – a congregation of alligators, an army of ants, a troop of baboons, a pride of lions, a train of camels, a destruction of cats, an intrusion of cockroaches, a mob of emus, a plague of insects, a drift of pigs, and so on. The...

Passive louver mechanism for small satellites

A miniaturisation trend in the satellite technology is clearly observable. The new generation of small satellites experiences very large thermal fluctuations, due to their high performance payload and low mass. Contemporary thermal control systems, applicable to small satellites, are mostly characterised by having either an insulative or a...

Design, Simulation and Optimisation of a Low-Pressure Micro-Resistojet for Small Satellite Missions

Incorporating propulsion in small satellites is becoming a growing trend, due to its potential for enabling new and ambitious mission objectives. One of these objectives is formation flying, that will be pursued by TU Delft for the DelFFi mission as part of the larger QB50 project. For DelFFi, two identical spacecraft will use propulsion to...