INFANTE – SATELLITE FOR MARITIME APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

INFANTE
INFANTE - SATELLITE FOR MARITIME APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS 1

INFANTE – SATELLITE FOR MARITIME APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

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INFANTE ACRONYM: INFANTE PROJECT DESIGNATION: INFANTE – SATELLITE FOR MARITIME APPLICATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM CONSTELLATIONS PROJECT CODE: 24534 START DATE: 02-11-2017 COMPLETION DATE: 31-10-2020 TOTAL ELIGIBLE COST: 9.170.960,93€ (Total Eligible for all co-promoters) FINANCIAL SUPPORT (funding amount): 6.139.801,47 € (Total Incentive) OBJECTIVES The INFANTE project is an R&D initiative, lasting 36 months, for the development and demonstration in orbit of a microsatellite, as the first component of a constellation for maritime surveillance, Earth observation and communications between satellites and ground stations. The spatial segment of the project includes a modular, low-cost microsatellite platform equipped with a software-defined radio-based communications system (whose functions include networking, ranging, and aerial and maritime surveillance); a propulsion system for orbit change and maintenance; mechanisms for opening and guiding solar panels; and a cargo bay with sensors for scientific experiments and technological validation such as SAR and multispectral chamber. In the soil segment, the project includes the development of a system for assembly, integration and expeditious testing, to support the preparatory activities inherent to frequent launches; and a data hub to aggregate, process and disseminate information from small satellites in orbit that supports the provision of sustainable business services. The INFANTE project is led by TEKEVER and brings together Portuguese reference companies such as Active Space Technologies, GMV, HPS, Omnidea and Spinworks; internationally recognized R&D centers such as ISQ, CEIIA, FCT-UNL, FEUP, INL, IPN, ISEP, CEIIA, ISR Lisboa, IT Aveiro or UBI; national partners such as Edisoft, Deimos Engenharia and Optimal; users such as IPMA, or INIAV; and international organizations such as the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. EXPECTED RESULTS

  • PPS1 Management, Quality, Safety and Dissemination
    • PPS1 focuses on three components with features transversal to the project:
      • Technical Management
      • Quality Control and Safety
      • Dissemination
    • Development of a Quality Control and Safety system based on robust concepts governing the European space sector, adapted to the reality of small satellites.
  • PPS2 Satellite platform;
    • PPS2 seeks to develop the satellite's base platform:
      • Structure
      • Avionics
      • Power Control
      • Thermal Control
    • Includes systems engineering following the project until the entry into operation, integration of all subsystems and articulation of the different teams of the promoters.
    • Develop a model, innovative and flexible architecture for microsatellites
  • PPS3 Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Applications;
    • The communications system will be developed based on the GAMALINK platform, implementing new functions such as:
      • Positioning
      • Ship identification
      • Aircraft identification
      • Networking
    • PPS4 Propulsion
      • Development of a propulsion system for orbit control
    • PPS5 Mechanisms;
      • Develop the mechanisms that allow the deployment of both solar panels and antennas to the position necessary to function.
    • PPS6 Payload Bay
      • Payload Bay aims to develop and demonstrate the integration of experimental instruments and equipment into small satellites, in a dedicated bay with energy and processing capacity available
    • PPS7 Synthetic Aperture Radar
      • PPS7 seeks to develop and demonstrate a Synthetic Aperture Radar adapted to small satellites and faster operations
    • PPS8 Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT);
      • Seeks to develop a more simplified model of Assembly, Integration and Testing according to the reality of small satellites
    • PPS9 Operation:
      • Development and integration of the soil segment, through the implementation of a control center and data hub.

This project received support from the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and Lisbon2020 Regras Publicitacao