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For imaging in the thermal infrared spectrum, microbolometer detectors offer an opportunity for cheaper space missions, because of their low size and power consumption and because they don’t require special cooling. They offer the possibility of a constellation of cubesats, for earth observation. The major conclusion of the project is that the microbolometer technology can be suitable for space flight. Based on tests performed in other projects, no show stoppers were identified. A breadboard was built to test and quantify performance.

The performed de-risk study revealed that space players are aware of the D4D constraints that one day may be standard rules for Space Agencies. The need to acquire in-flight data is considered of primary importance. However, costs and benefits of in-flight experiments shall be compared. From the analysis conducted by VKI it emerged that recurrent low-cost experiments could be a winning strategy considering i) the intrinsic stochastic nature of the space-debris phenomenon; ii) the reduced measurement capabilities compared to ground experiments; iii) the high risk of a big single experiment.

Many types of science missions focus on Solar System targets with harsh thermal environments, such as Mars, the Moon, asteroids, comets, and other bodies at the fringes of the Solar System. Traditional spacecraft avionics rely on the storage of electrical energy in electrochemical systems (typically secondary batteries) for covering peak energy demands and periods where no electrical energy is generated (Lunar/Martian/cometary night, etc.).

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This activity was aiming to support in-orbit demonstration mission for the validation of ram electric propulsion technologies. It shall provide a plan for the development of an intake system for air-breathing thrusters.

Earth observation by satellites provides essential datasets for a wide range of commercial, societal and scientific applications. Satellites have been observing the state of the environment since the launch of the radiation balance instrument on Explorer 8 in October 1959, and over the last 60 years the range of observation types and applications has grown exponentially. Today operational long-term sustained Earth observation programmes, exemplified by the Copernicus Sentinels, give a wide range of users reliable environmental information services.