Technologies of the POQUITO pico-satellite mission: the first PocketQube of the University of Luxembourg

This work details the mission and system of POQUITO, the PocketQube for In-Orbit Technology Operations, that is the first satellite mission of the University of Luxembourg. POQUITO will be deployed in a Sun-synchronous orbit in Q1 2025 by a PocketQube deployer onboard a SpaceX Transporter mission. POQUITO is the first PocketQube mission to host an independent ChipSat onboard and is intended to be a modular platform for future missions. The platform is a 5x5x5 cm PocketQube (1P), while the payload is a 5x5x0.2 cm ChipSat. POQUITO will test the communication between the PocketQube and the ChipSat through visible-light link. The ChipSat payload serves as a demonstration for both inter-and intra-satellite links: (1) between the ChipSat and POQUITO; and (2) within the ChipSat. The ChipSat is assembled on a printed circuit board with its own solar cells, sensors, and data management system, which are independent from the main platform. POQUITO is also equipped with a deployable UHF antenna and an experimental ADCS with 3 magnetorquers developed at the University of Luxembourg which are placed on the back side of the solar cells. The overall space system fits within a 5 cm edge cube and weighs 185 g. The POQUITO platform is based on the QUBIK satellite developed by LibreSpace Foundation. Several challenges encountered in the development of the POQUITO mission, encompassing diverse areas such as technical development, launch opportunities, and non-technical matters as insurance coverage for pico-satellites are also detailed in the paper, providing lessons learnt for teams aiming to work in the PocketQubes and sub-CubeSat area.