System design of the POQUITO PocketQube mission

ChipSat; Picosatellite; PocketQube; System design; Commercialisation; Cubesat; Magnetorquer; Pocketqube; Space missions; Space sectors; Spacecraft development; Aerospace Engineering; Mission Design; Spacecraft; PCB

Abstract :

[en] The privatisation and the commercialisation of the space sector have enabled the implementation of space missions at reduced costs, allowing small companies and universities to develop and launch their own satellites such as CubeSats, PocketQubes, and ChipSats. While CubeSats are nowadays largely used, PocketQubes and ChipSats are still emerging as platforms for space missions. This paper details the mission, system, payload design, technology experiment, and challenges of the PocketQube for In-Orbit Technology Operations, or POQUITO. In particular, POQUITO is (1) the first PocketQube mission to host an independent ChipSat onboard, (2) the first mission to test the communication link between a PocketQube and a ChipSat in visible light, and (3) the first PocketQube mission to use magnetorquers directly printed in the inner layers of the internal stack PCBs and lateral panel PCBs. The 3-axis control using printed magnetorquers can successfully detumble the PocketQube from an angular velocity of 20 ∘/s in less than one orbital period, while saving volume and mass. Additionally, POQUITO adopts iterative design-development-test cycles for rapid spacecraft development and qualification, contrasting with the traditional phase-review methodology. The overall space system fits within a 5 cm edge cube and weighs 185g. Several challenges encountered in the development of the POQUITO mission, encompassing areas such as spacecraft development, launch opportunities, and non-technical matters as insurance coverage for pico-satellites are also detailed in the paper, providing useful guidelines for teams aiming to work in the sub-CubeSat area.

Disciplines :

Aerospace & aeronautics engineering

Author, co-author :

FRANZESE, Vittorio ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

KANAVOURAS, Konstantinos ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

BRUCE ROSETE, Citlali ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

GOUVALAS, Spyridon ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

SAJJAD, Niki ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

ALANDIHALLAJ, Mohammadamin ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

HERASIMENKA, Alesia ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust > SPASYS > Team Andreas HEIN

HEIN, Andreas ; University of Luxembourg > Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SNT) > SPASYS

External co-authors :

Language :

English

Title :

System design of the POQUITO PocketQube mission

Publication date :

26 May 2025

Journal title :

CEAS Space Journal

ISSN :

1868-2502

eISSN :

1868-2510

Publisher :

Springer

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12567-025-00624-9.pdf

Available on ORBilu :

since 05 December 2025

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