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Space is underexploited. An emerging industry called NewSpace seeks to fill the void by re-purposing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology for use in a generation of lower-cost spacecraft. However, COTS components require validation for use in the space environment and this is still a costly affair. Conventionally, such devices must undergo qualification testing that includes thermal vacuum, vibration endurance as well as radiation testing at a handful of specialist facilities around the world. However, lab-testing of COTS devices to ECSS space standards is expensive and yet, it still cannot faithfully replace the gold-standard of in-orbit validation, because it cannot fully replicate the combined conditions found in the space environment. Devices must gain actual flight heritage before they can be considered for higher value missions. There is a clear market opportunity for this.
The University of Malta is developing a practical, low cost solution to allow end users and electronics manufacturers to test electronic devices, systems and materials directly in space. This will take the form of a miniaturized SpaceLab capsule - a PicoSatellite platform that can be launched by customers to carry-out several types of tests on components in space. This would be the lowest cost method, by far, to test ICs and de-risk electronic designs in realistic space conditions. Blu5 is a prototypical customer for the SpaceLab and will provide invaluable insight.
We have demonstrated the technical feasibility of such a PicoSatellite architecture, with TRL3 prototypes of the essential subsystems, including: electrical power, solar panels with maximum power point tracking, on-board computers and communications. Non-essential subsystems such as attitude control and electric propulsion have also been demonstrated in the laboratory. The ASTREA Project will specifically develop novel satellite deployment technology that further reduces launch costs of such a SpaceLab.