GOMX-5 integration is step towards safer seas and cleaner orbits

The GOMX-5 CubeSat has successfully completed qualification testing and final review.

The ESA-supported CubeSat mission, developed by GomSpace, is now integrated into its deployer, meaning it is now ready for launch in October 2026. The CubeSat is the General Support Technology Programme’s (GSTP) latest in-orbit demonstration mission and will validate several ESA-supported technologies and operational concepts, including enhanced maritime awareness detection, automated collision avoidance and further ESA’s Zero Debris aspirations.

Among the technologies onboard the satellite is an onboard iodine electric propulsion subsystem, capable of performing collision avoidance manoeuvres shortly after launch. A key objective for the CubeSat’s mission will be demonstrating that the commissioning of this propulsion system can be completed within 48 hours after launch, significantly reducing the time required before a CubeSat can actively manage its orbit, before showcasing the capability relevant for collision avoidance manoeuvres, as required by ESA’s new space debris mitigation standard.

Among the technologies onboard the satellite is an onboard iodine electric propulsion subsystem, capable of performing collision avoidance manoeuvres shortly after launch. A key objective for the CubeSat’s mission will be demonstrating that the commissioning of this propulsion system can be completed within 48 hours after launch, significantly reducing the time required before a CubeSat can actively manage its orbit, before showcasing the capability relevant for collision avoidance manoeuvres, as required by ESA’s new space debris mitigation standard.

"Traditionally, this has been a largely manual process that could take at least a week," David Palma, the lead ESA engineer on the mission, explains. "Our goal is to automate the process so that the spacecraft can be ready to perform collision avoidance manoeuvres within 48 hours of launch."

The technology is being demonstrated as part of ESA's efforts to promote safer and more sustainable operations in orbit through its zero debris approach.

“The mission is the first ESA CubeSat IOD mission to implement the new zero space debris approach and we are learning how this new policy affects CubeSat design and operations in real time to help inform the application of the zero debris approach for new CubeSat missions,” David says.

Another demonstration that will deploy shortly after launch is a tracking solar panel that is also being used by the Juventas CubeSat, part of the Hera mission investigating the asteroid Dimorphos. This particular solar array is not only deployable but also has a solar array drive assembly (SADA), which enables sunlight tracking and maximises the power generation of the CubeSat. This is a vital necessity for Juventas and will be used going forward on any GomSpace systems with stricter power requirements. Juventas’ engineers will be anxiously-awaiting to see if the solar panel can track accurately before their own solar array deploys in early 2027.

The eight-unit CubeSat marks an important milestone for the Danish company, GomSpace. The mission will serve as an in-orbit demonstration of its latest reference platform, bringing together years of hardware development through the suite of previous GOMX CubeSats into a single, flight-ready system.

“The primary objective is to validate the new reference platform," explains the mission lead. "We've developed many different subsystems over the years. This mission demonstrates that they can all work together as one integrated satellite platform capable of supporting a wide range of future missions."

To showcase its capabilities, the satellite carries its final technology demonstrator– a maritime awareness payload equipped with multiple antennas covering a broad range of frequencies, from VHF to L-band. The payload will detect signals transmitted by ships, offshore platforms and other maritime assets, demonstrating how small satellites can contribute to monitoring activity at sea. Since a single spacecraft cannot provide continuous maritime coverage, the mission will demonstrate the technology needed for future satellite constellations. It also hosts an in-flight software test bed, meaning engineers will be able to upload code to an experimental computer on-board the spacecraft to validate their software in space.

"Maritime awareness is a very popular application today," says David. "We're not aiming to deliver operational services with one satellite but for GomSpace to be able to show customers what could be achieved with a larger constellation based on this platform."

The on-board software is fully configurable and updatable to use the CubeSat as an in-orbit testbed for software experiments both during the IOD mission in Sun Synchronous Orbit and for several years following the IOD mission completion.

"GOMX-5 is a new milestone for GomSpace and now we have had a successful Acceptance Review and delivered the spacecraft to the launch broker,” shares Jan Persson, Project Manager, GOMX-5 at GomSpace.

Developed as part of GSTP’s Element 3, Fly, GOMX-5 is the latest in a series of technology demonstration GOMX CubeSats developed with GomSpace under the Programme, including GOMX-4B and GOMX-3 –ESA’s very first technology CubeSat to fly.

"Now GOMX-5 is moving towards the launch planned for later this year and will bring products and technologies from GomSpace on a mission to get more flight heritage to products and expand the space expertise at GomSpace," Jan concludes.

GOMX-5 integration is step towards safer seas and cleaner orbits

rămâneți informat