Background: Malta is developing a novel pico-satellite cluster architecture, and has filed intellectual property that will significantly lower the cost barrier of placing large satellite constellations into orbit around any planet with a gaseous atmosphere. Once completed, it will enable a whole range of novel missions including planetary probe constellations and cheap remote sensing in low earth orbit (LEO). A single Arianne 5 rocket launch could place thousands of individual satellites into LEO, which disperse around the globe with evenly distributed ground tracks. The satellites can be operated in very low earth orbit (VLEO) which ensures rapid de-orbiting on mission completion, to prevent the accumulation of space debris. However, as with most pico-satellites, construction is based on commercial off the shelf components which require a higher degree of scrutiny to ensure reliability in the field. 

Problem/Opportunity: Each pico-satellite consists of several subsystems including solar panels, batteries, an antenna, an electrical power supply (EPS), an on-board computer (OBC), a communication system module (COMMS), an attitude determination and control system (ADCS), and a payload module for collecting data from experiments or instruments or any devices under test. The hardware is compactly integrated into a machined aerospace grade aluminum frame that has been carefully designed to withstand vibration and launch forces. The pico-satellites are then assembled together to form the cluster. During a previous project (RESOLUTE) we have performed radiation testing to short-list suitable components. However, now that all subsystems have been constructed, the time has come to validate and pre-qualify the completed spacecraft and look beyond radiation, to ensure its survivability as a cluster, during the launch and harsh space environment.

Approach: To address the question of survivability, comprehensive lab-based pre-qualification testing and analysis of the satellite will be conducted under simulated launch and space conditions, which will provide valuable insights on the reliability of the completed solution and suggest improvements if necessary. This pre-qualification testing will consider all aspects of the spacecraft’s reliability, such as vacuum, thermal testing, thermal cycling, vibration, mechanical integrity, magnetic cleanliness and possibly radiation testing. While the project does not include an actual satellite launch, it will pave the way for a future mission that will see the launch and operation of a Maltese developed spacecraft.

 Project QUASAR  is financed by the Malta Council for Science & Technology through the Space Upstream Programme of 2023'. 

RESOLUTE is centered around the development of reliable astrionic systems for pico-satellites. More specifically, the main objective is to develop highly miniaturized, radiation tolerant, on-board computer (OBC) systems suitable for integration into a PocketQube pico-satellite on double sided PCBs no larger than 42x42 mm2. 

In such an application, there is limited scope for redundancy and shielding because the PCB area, total mass and total power consumption are severely restricted. Yet, the system is required to achieve systemic reliability, even when its constituent commercial off the shelf (COTS) parts are subjected to sporadic, as well as cumulative, radiation damage.

RESOLUTE envisages collaboration with an established space research organisation such as CNES in order to gain experience in terms of robust, radiation-tolerant, electronic design for space applications. Through this collaboration, experimental hardware will be developed using COTS devices, which will then be subjected to controlled doses of radiation under laboratory conditions, in order to evaluate suitable candidate components as well as suitable design techniques.

The knowledge gained through the proposed study will have a broader impact on the ultimate success of the wider pico-satellite project, because similar COTS hardware may also be used in other contexts within the same PocketQube pico-satellite. These include communication systems, attitude controls systems, propulsion systems and electrical power supplies. 

The highly interdisciplinary team of Maltese researchers brings with it a wealth of experience in terms of electronics development but needs specialized design guidance for space applications, and access to specialized testing facilities as it aspires towards conformity to ESCC (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) standards. 

Project RESOLUTE is financed by the Malta Council for Science & Technology, for and on behalf of the Foundation for Science and Technology, through the MCST-CNES Space Bilateral Fund.