Background and justification:

This ESA-funded feasibility study explored advanced beam steering antenna technologies to significantly improve the communication capabilities of CubeSats operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). CubeSats, due to their compact form factor, are subject to severe size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints, which pose unique challenges to achieving high-performance, reliable communication links. Addressing these limitations, the project investigated both passive and active beamforming strategies with a focus on system-level integration, power efficiency, and scalability. 

Within that activity, a significant reduction in diameter of the polarizer elements was achieved. Usage of new manufacturing methods makes pitch-to-pitch distances of about 25mm possible. That enables the use of the feed cluster for combined Tx/Rx MFB solutions with one single reflector while providing simultaneously a high throughput density. Compared to the conventional solutions, which require at least 2 reflectors for multi-spot scenarios, the number of reflectors on satellites can be reduced to one reflector with the new idea.

Achievements and status: 

Array Fed Reflector (AFR) antennas provide a favourable trade-off between performance (e.g. gain) and complexity (e.g. number of antenna ports) for emerging broadband satellites in geostationary orbit. In light of emerging digital AFR payloads, satellite integrators and operators are in need of a) efficient optimization processes to define the antenna configuration (Optics, Focal Array) that is the most flexible and best suited for user distribution, and b) practical techniques for the dynamic reconfiguration of the payload during operation in a reduced timescale.

Background and justification:
•Conformal antennas which can be integrated in the avionics of a launcher are a key point for telemetry, safety and GNSS data in launcher applications. Moreover, they minimize aerodynamic drag by being mounted on or embedded in the curved surface of high-performanceaircraft. COALA project combines antennas with low aerodynamic drag with superior RF performance to provide optimal platform performance. Moreover, the project reduces the European dependency to foreign solutions.

Achievements and status: 
Commercial S band diplexer has been tested with results close to expectations
Upgraded diplexer variant has been designed, manufactured and tested
The test showed no power improvement compared to standard variant 
 

The work carried out reports on a new machine learning-based software prototype for designing and optimising phased array antennas. The prototype can rapidly and accurately compute excitation coefficients for large-scale antenna arrays across diverse configurations and far-field requirements. The prototype relies on tailored neural networks integrating structural physics and domain knowledge using an encoder-decoder structure.

The SPOTTED project addresses the critical issue of marine debris, particularly plastic pollution, by enhancing detection and monitoring capabilities. Utilizing advanced spatio-temporal fusion (STF) techniques and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with high-resolution satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 (S2) and PlanetScope (PS), the project aims to refine S2 data and develop AI algorithms for identifying landfills and floating debris.

Conventional high-speed video cameras present major limitations for space applications, they are heavy, bulky and require a lot of resources to operate and to space qualify. The study proposes the use of the neuromorphic camera technology for high-speed imaging in space. Neuromorphic cameras, also called event-cameras, offer advantages such as small size, low power consumption, and high temporal resolution, making them suitable for detecting fast phenomena like lightning and space debris. The advantages also make them relatively easy to space-qualify.