Overview of Activities in the Project Integrated Research Platform for Affordable Satellites

Abstract

Highly increasing numbers and commercialisation of small satellites require the development and production process to cope with high quantities in less time at reasonable prices. Within IRAS (Integrated Research Platform for Affordable Satellites), local space and non-space businesses and research organizations work together and discuss their needs. This is done on a technical basis with the project team and industry in progress meetings. New technologies are investigated and developed to reduce cost and time in the development and production of components, satellites and satellite constellations. To achieve this, research in several different hardware and software technologies is part of the project. In the field of additive manufacturing techniques, use of polymeric and ceramic materials, combined with multifunctional and bionic structures, is investigated to achieve lightweight structures with integrated functions. Electric and water-based propulsion systems are developed as advanced green propulsion technologies that provide sufficient thrust to distribute high numbers of satellites in orbit and to safely deorbit them after their operational phase, while being cost-effective. In addition, a new approach for cooperative design of satellites without the need for physical proximity is investigated with the DCEP (Digital Concurrent Engineering Platform), which provides a web-based software platform that supports the use of automated design tools and algorithms. The design tools, also developed within IRAS, include tools for constellation design and mission analysis as well as satellite design. IRAS technologies are also a part of the technology demonstrator satellite mission SOURCE, a CubeSat, developed and operated in cooperation between the Institute of Space Systems and the student organization KSat e.V., both at the University of Stuttgart. This paper presents an overview of the concepts, achievements and current developments in these fields of activity within the IRAS project.