Among the main trends of the new space economy, miniaturisation makes it possible to build mass-produced or customised spacecraft at a reduced price compared to older technologies; it encourages technological innovation, as in-space technology demonstrations are easier in cost, design, and legal and compliance aspects. In this context, the J2050 project has been selected by the European Space Agency to develop and launch their 2p PocketQube in the framework of the 4th cycle of the hands-on “Fly Your Satellite!” programme; this is the first cycle that included the possibility to launch fractions of CubeSats. The current PocketQube configuration includes three main payloads: a miniaturised debris detector, an optical dimming system for cameras and telescopes, and a system for attitude determination and pointing consisting of LEDs and photodiodes. The three payloads will be integrated on board a platform fully designed and produced by the students, from electronic boards to the software and mechanical interfaces. This will also enable the team to achieve its main educational goal, preparing the next generation of space engineers. In this paper, the specifics of the PocketQube, the design process, the resource management aspect, manufacturing, integration, testing, and outreach activities undertaken by the team will be described.


    Access

    Download


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    The J2050 student PocketQube for space debris investigation and optical observation technology development



    Conference:

    Small Satellites Systems and Services Symposium (4S 2024) ; 2024 ; Palma de Mallorca, Spain


    Published in:

    Proc. SPIE ; 13546


    Publication date :

    2025-03-20





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Tether Experiment: PocketQube Deployed from a CubeSat

    Akkaya, Ilknur / Ozkan, Sevde / Oz, Mert et al. | IEEE | 2023


    Pocketqube deorbit times: Susceptibility to the solar cycle

    Chen, Xianqi / Yao, Wen / Harkness, Patrick | IEEE | 2017



    Optical Observation Technologies for Space Debris

    Nakajima, Atsushi / Kurosaki, Hirohisa | AIAA | 2006


    GEO Space Debris Optical Observation Technologies

    Nakajima, A. / Kurosaki, H. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2006