How Open Cosmos uses satellite testing to ensure its devices benefit society

Harwell-based small satellite firm Open Cosmos tests devices at the Satellite Applications Catapult. Insights gained help ensure their sustainability and benefit to society, says Florian Deconinck, vice-president of growth.

READ MORE: How the Satellite Applications Catapult replicates space on Earth

“We used the Satellite Applications Catapult facilities to test the Menut satellite. Menut is a 6U (roughly 30x20x10cm) Earth observation satellite designed to help address some of the key challenges around climate change. 

“Menut has been launched into a low Earth orbit (LEO). This means it orbits the earth 538km above ground at a speed of around 8km/s, which is roughly one orbit per 90 minutes. LEO satellites are small but highly powerful. They complement bigger satellites nicely by providing less spatial resolution but higher frequency of measurements. They also have a smaller form factor, minimising the risk of space debris, while still being big enough to be tracked. 

“The satellite features an onboard multi-spectral camera, which takes images at 5m ground sampling distance (GSD) of any place in the world. These Earth observation images help to provide vital insights into the impacts of the climate emergency, the use of natural resources, and can even help global organisations in times of environmental and humanitarian crisis.”

Aiming for sustainability

“The testing allowed us to confirm that the satellites would withstand the launch and space environment. As always during tests, there were some minor issues that we were able to resolve.

“We also have satellites under development, which are being tested at the Satellite Applications Catapult facility, including the upcoming Phisat-2 and Mantis missions developed together with the European Space Agency. It’s incredibly important for us to thoroughly test all the parts of our satellites – both independently and when fully constructed. At Open Cosmos, we believe space should benefit society, while focusing on sustainability – so when we launch a satellite, we only do so when we know it will reliably serve its purpose.”

Want the best engineering stories delivered straight to your inbox? The Professional Engineering newsletter gives you vital updates on the most cutting-edge engineering and exciting new job opportunities. To sign up, click here.

Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.