Radiation Testing and Effects On Small Satellites Opening Insights Radiation is one of the most persistent and potentially destructive forces affecting spacecraft in orbit. From single-event upsets (SEUs) to long-term degradation of semiconductor devices, ionizing radiation poses a direct threat to satellite reliability, particularly for small satellites using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. As CubeSats and […]
Helmholtz Cage Systems and ADCS Verification Opening Insights As small satellites take on increasingly autonomous and complex missions, verifying their ability to orient and control themselves in space—without human intervention—is more critical than ever. The Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) is the beating heart of that capability. It governs everything from pointing a payload […]
CubeSat Thermal Vacuum Testing: Lessons from Real-World Missions Thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing is a critical part of environmental qualification for any satellite—but for CubeSats, it plays an especially pivotal role. These compact platforms face the same orbital extremes as larger spacecraft but with tighter thermal margins, less redundancy, and often minimal active thermal control. As […]
Why Thermal Vacuum Testing Matters for Small Satellites Introduction Thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing is a core step in qualifying small satellites for the harsh environment of space. In low Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond, spacecraft are subjected to wide temperature swings and near-total vacuum conditions. To ensure that critical systems—from avionics to structure […]
CubeSat Vibration and Shock Testing Opening Insights Vibration and shock testing are critical elements in the verification of small satellite structures—ensuring that a spacecraft can survive the intense mechanical environments encountered during launch. For CubeSats and microsats, which often ride as secondary payloads, structural integrity must be validated against the same dynamic loads experienced by […]
Opening Insights Microsatellites are redefining what’s possible in high-resolution Earth Observation (EO). Once the exclusive domain of large spacecraft, submeter imaging and hyperspectral data collection are now being delivered by compact, power-efficient platforms. These next-generation systems combine visible and near-infrared (VNIR and NIR) multispectral sensors with new optical architectures—bringing advanced imaging capabilities to a broader […]
Opening Insights Accurate surface reflectance data is essential for Earth Observation (EO) applications ranging from vegetation health monitoring to land use classification and hydrological modeling. However, atmospheric interference — including aerosols, water vapor, and variable solar angles — distorts the radiance captured by spaceborne sensors. This distortion can significantly degrade the scientific utility of raw […]
Opening Insights As nanosatellite and CubeSat missions grow more complex and ambitious, the demand for scalable, flexible satellite platforms has never been greater. From deep-space biological science to lunar surface monitoring and interplanetary maneuvers, nanosatellites are now performing missions once reserved for full-scale spacecraft. These advancements require architectures that can evolve with the mission — […]
Opening Insights Cloud detection remains a fundamental challenge in satellite-based Earth Observation (EO). With up to two-thirds of the Earth’s surface covered in clouds at any time, a significant portion of remote sensing imagery (RSI) becomes contaminated, reducing its utility and increasing data transmission loads. Traditionally, cloud coverage estimation has relied on thresholding, time-differentiation, and […]
Opening Insights Preparing a payload or small satellite for launch requires a precise, multi-phase process to mitigate risk and ensure mission readiness. Across the space industry, facilities are designed to support a spectrum of payloads from compact CubeSats to larger spacecraft requiring 5-meter fairings. These facilities manage the full range of pre-launch ground operations, including […]
