I'm Tim, Satellite Experiment Infrastructure Engineer at Terma, and for the past year, I've been a part of the OPS-SAT-1 mission team, providing the Terma OSEI service to ensure smooth execution of experiments. This firsthand experience has given me unique insights into the challenges and discoveries of the project. At Terma, we pride ourselves on our flexibility in meeting customer needs, by offering custom combinations that optimize cost, quality, flexibility, and responsiveness. And OPS-SAT-1 wasn’t an exception.
Here I’ll go into the challenges we faced during the OPS-SAT-1 mission, the innovative solutions implemented, and the groundbreaking results achieved through this mission.
Background
The OPS-SAT-1 satellite, a 3U CubeSat launched on 18 December, 2019, represents a significant milestone in space technology advancement. Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and constructed through a collaborative effort of Austrian, German, Polish, and Danish industries, OPS-SAT-1's primary objective is to demonstrate the enhanced mission control capabilities achievable with more powerful on-board computers. OPS-SAT-1 provided an opportunity to test experimental software on both ground and space segments.
Over its four years in orbit, OPS-SAT-1 has contributed significantly to space technology, generating numerous publications and validating new concepts that are now being integrated into major upcoming space missions. The prime example is the SmartCam Experiment, which validated the use of convolutional neural networks on-board the satellite, evolving into a standard tool for the mission.
OPS-SAT-1 has enabled a diverse range of stakeholders - including industry professionals, scientists, and individual researchers - to conduct software experiments directly on the satellite. This is primarily achieved through its System-on-Chip (SoC) architecture, which combines an ARM CPU and an Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) core. This configuration allows for not only software-based experiments but also the reconfiguration of the on-board FPGA for hardware experimentation. For example, the implementation of hardware acceleration for AI applications.
Payloads on OPS-SAT-1
Despite its compact size, OPS-SAT-1houses an impressive array of payloads and components that enable its versatile functionality. As a 3U CubeSat, it measures 30cm x 10cm x 10cm, excluding deployable parts like the UHF antennas. This small form factor belies the sophisticated technology packed within.
Thermal vacuum tests for the ESA’s OPS-SAT mission - Scientific Figure on ResearchGate - available at Researchgate.net.
This configuration allows OPS-SAT-1 to perform a wide range of experiments and demonstrations. The Linux-based system on the SEPP modules has proven particularly valuable, enabling the use of familiar tools like r-sync for file synchronization between ground and orbit. It even allows for direct SSH access to the SEPP computer during passes with a good RF link, greatly enhancing debugging capabilities.
While initially intended for periodic experimental use, the Fine-ADCS, has become an integral part of the mission, playing a vital role in extending the satellite's operational life by optimizing its orientation during reentry.
Challenge: Balancing flexibility and precision in a fast-paced space mission
OPS-SAT-1 faced the unique challenge of being a highly flexible and fast-paced mission. The dynamic nature of the mission required constant adaptation, as day-to-day activities could shift rapidly between supporting experimenters, managing spacecraft operations, analyzing telemetry data, conducting teaching activities, and performing spacecraft engineering tasks.
To ensure the mission ran smoothly, it was crucial to maintain an overview of all ongoing activities while efficiently switching contexts between different tasks. This required meticulous planning, precise execution, and the ability to deliver quality results consistently despite the rapid pace and high demands.
Solution: Enabling complex space experiments with the OSEI service
To address the challenges of managing OPS-SAT-1's dynamic mission, the Experiment Infrastructure Engineering Service (OSEI) by Terma was essential in providing expertise on high-performance payload electronics, particularly the System-on-Chip (SoC) and the infrastructure required to support experiments on this payload. Terma provided the necessary know-how and personnel to overcome this challenge, ensuring the mission's success.
Specifically, Terma provided a dedicated engineer to work at ESOC, addressing tasks related to the payload processor and spacecraft operations. This included expertise in FPGA design and electronics engineering, as well as spacecraft operations, ensuring that the mission's complex requirements were met with precision.
By implementing OSEI service, OPS-SAT-1 has created a robust framework that balances the need for flexibility with the precision required in space operations. The structured approach, combined with on-site expertise, enables the team to navigate the complexities of rapid context switching, maintain comprehensive oversight, and deliver high-quality results even under tight time constraints.
Throughout the mission, ground automation pipelines were iteratively and consistently improved to streamline planning and analysis processes while minimizing human errors. This continuous refinement of ground operations played a crucial role in maintaining the mission's efficiency and reliability.
Simultaneously, the on-board software underwent regular updates through firmware patches. These updates served dual purposes: enhancing OPS-SAT-1's security measures and expanding its capability to support a diverse range of experiments. This flexibility in software management was key to the satellite's adaptability and longevity.
Unique Contributions and Achievements
OPS-SAT-1's uniqueness is fundamentally rooted in its System on Module (SoM) and Flight Control Team (FCT). The FCT demonstrated exceptional adaptability, consistently developing new skill sets and bringing innovative ideas to improve mission safety and automation. This proactive approach by the team was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what OPS-SAT-1 could achieve.
The service that Terma provided during my tenure as well as the engineers who previously worked was multifaceted, encompassing on-board software feature development, rigorous testing, patch implementation, and comprehensive FPGA experimenter support. This holistic approach ensured that OPS-SAT-1 remained at the cutting edge of space technology, capable of meeting the diverse needs of its experimenters while maintaining operational integrity.
Photo courtesy of ESA
Structured Experimenter Journey
The experimenter's journey with OPS-SAT began with an idea for an orbital experiment. After initial feasibility discussions via email, the experiment could be registered, granting access to relevant documentation on the OPS-SAT-1 website. Throughout the design iterations, the team at ESOC supported the development process. Once the experiment reached testing maturity, it was first run on the ground using the engineering model. Upon achieving flight readiness, the experiment was uploaded, installed, and scheduled for execution.
For more complex FPGA experiments, Terma's support was crucial. These experiments required a thorough check of the code, design, and an experiment-specific toolchain. This meticulous process minimized the risks of data loss, faulty spacecraft states, or hardware damage, ensuring reliability and reducing unnecessary re-runs. The client relied on Terma's service to maintain 100% reliability in operating these experiments.
My Journey with OPS-SAT-1
My personal challenging aspect was managing the complete FPGA experiment process. The most remarkable case was with Protostar Labs from Croatia. Despite the deadline of the satellite's re-entry, we successfully executed their experiment just 48 hours before. This accomplishment highlighted the team's ability to handle complex tasks under tight time constraints, demonstrating their proficiency in managing the satellite’s versatile and demanding mission environment.
What makes OPS-SAT-1 truly unique for me is its status as the only mission in the world offering people direct access to an orbiting satellite for testing a wide range of new concepts. The most rewarding aspect of my work on OPS-SAT-1 has been helping researchers, industry professionals, and startups overcome the "has-never-flown-will-never-fly" barrier. Witnessing their excitement when flight model results come in is incredibly fulfilling.
On a personal level, working on OPS-SAT-1 has provided me with an unparalleled range of experiences. My role encompassed the duties of spacecraft controller, spacecraft engineer, experiment support specialist, internal software developer, IT infrastructure manager, and electronics engineer. This diverse set of responsibilities has made my position on OPS-SAT-1 a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity in the space industry.
The breadth of tasks and the impact of our work in breaking down barriers for space innovation have made my experience with OPS-SAT-1 invaluable. It's not just about the technical challenges we've overcome, but also about the doors we've opened for future space exploration and technology development. As I reflect on this journey, I realize that finding another job that offers this unique combination of challenges, opportunities, and satisfaction would be extraordinarily difficult anywhere else on the planet.
Photo courtesy of ESA
Results
The most rewarding aspect of the OPS-SAT-1 mission has been the opportunity to help people bring their innovative ideas to orbit. Both as a team and individually, we have received an abundance of positive feedback for our work, which brings immense satisfaction in delivering such a unique service to the space community.
OPS-SAT-1 has facilitated numerous groundbreaking experiments. Notably, the Paris Observatory's "Refined Astrometry on Board a CubeSat" experiment demonstrated the satellite's potential for precise astronomical measurements. Another significant project was "OPS-SAT Spacecraft Autonomy with TensorFlow Lite, Unsupervised Learning, and Online Machine Learning," which showcased advanced AI capabilities in space.
The satellite has achieved several exciting firsts in various fields, including operations, artificial intelligence, protocols and standards, and cybersecurity. These achievements are documented on the ESA OPS-SAT Space Lab Community Platform and highlight the satellite's role as a testbed for cutting-edge space technologies.
For more detailed information on the experiments conducted and the achievements of OPS-SAT-1, interested parties can visit the ESA OPS-SAT Space Lab Community Platform.
Future Plans
OPS-SAT-1 has now evolved into the OPS-SAT Space Lab, an ESA initiative designed to accelerate innovation in operations-related areas. The Space Lab leverages powerful, reconfigurable space elements to facilitate in-flight experimentation that would be challenging or undesirable on other missions. Although the next space segment for the Space Lab is scheduled for 2026, work has already begun on developing the experiment infrastructure and pipelines. With the first experimenters from industry and universities already registered, we are eager to commence experiment development as soon as possible.
Terma continues to play a crucial role in the OPS-SAT Space Lab by providing the expertise required to build the experimenter systems for the next generation of satellites. This involvement not only supports the broader space community but also allows Terma to rapidly test and refine new concepts, benefitting from the insights gained during the OPS-SAT-1 mission.
Conclusion
The OPS-SAT-1 mission stands as a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in the space sector. Through the challenges faced and overcome, it has demonstrated the immense value of having a flexible, accessible platform for in-orbit experimentation. Terma's contribution to this mission, particularly through the OSEI service, has been pivotal in bridging the gap between innovative ideas and their practical implementation in space.
The OPS-SAT-1 has shown that sometimes, the biggest advancements come in small packages. This 3U CubeSat has opened up new possibilities in space operations, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and beyond. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in space, platforms like OPS-SAT-1 and services like OSEI will be crucial in turning today's bold ideas into tomorrow's space realities.