Introduction

The Status: Satellite technology has transformed communication (phone, data, entertainment), food production (weather forecasts, crop monitoring), and transportation (GPS). It also plays a critical role in water management, global supply chains, and scientific advancements, impacting daily life and future technologies.

The (Near) Future: Satellite use will rapidly grow, enabling new applications and making the world more data-connected. Space will drive innovations in AI, quantum communication, IoT, and digitization, with technologies initially developed for space impacting various industries and daily life.

The Opportunities: Space exploration, once limited to a few wealthy countries, is now more accessible.

  • Smaller Satellites: Large satellites are being replaced by cost-effective constellations of smaller units, reducing risks and costs.
  • Wider Participation: More small and medium-sized companies globally are contributing to satellite development, broadening involvement in space.

The Challenge: Countries and companies with early expertise in satellite technology hold a competitive advantage. Austria has expertise in small satellites but needs to connect resources, improve weak points, and strengthen capabilities. The “Small Satellite Research Network” (SSRN) project aims to unite and enhance Austria’s position in the small satellite sector.

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The project

Austria is home to numerous companies and research institutions with expertise in space technology, particularly small satellites. However, most have not fully collaborated to leverage this knowledge. To stay competitive and become a leader in the small satellite sector, it’s crucial to combine this expertise, address gaps, and enhance existing capabilities.

Led by the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, a consortium including FOTEC, Seibersdorf Laboratories, and R-Space is working to create a comprehensive database of Austria's space technology resources and build a dedicated network of key players.

This initiative will prepare Austria’s industry, research, and academic sectors for the future challenges and opportunities in the field of nanosatellites.

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Project Partners

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The University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (FHWN)

The Aerospace Engineering department of the FHWN has established a CubeSat program already in 2013. Since then, numerous high-level studies were established to assess potential applications for Nano- and Microsatellites and some of them have been and are realized. The 2U CubeSat PEGASUS was the first CubeSat of the FHWN and was launched in 2017 and operated for nearly seven years successfully until it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in early 2024. Presently, the mission CLIMB is in preparation and scheduled to launch in 2025. Furthermore, as part of its educational program, the Aerospace Engineering department has established numerous dedicated testing facilities, including a facility for the development and testing of attitude control systems, a sun simulator, environmental testing facilities (vibration and thermal vacuum) to name only some.


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FOTEC

FOTEC's Aerospace Engineering (AE) department boasts over 30 years of experience in space-related technology development. The department specializes in various areas of aerospace engineering, with a primary focus on space propulsion systems both, chemical and electrical propulsion, including the successful IFM NANO Thruster, which led to the spin-off company ENPULSION GmbH in 2017. FOTEC features a large laboratory with a wide variety of testing capabilities, providing its customers with the possibility of testing their devices at its premises with the support of experts and in compliance with the current standards for space (ECSS).

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R-Space

R-Space is a young start-up in Lower Austria with the objective to revolutionize the way of performing In-Orbit-Demonstration (IOD) missions by offering a launch within 6 months following contract signature. The GreenBox service developed by R-Space provides IOD/IOV opportunities for cutting-edge, high risk technologies. The service is designed for an increased speed and ease of access to space. The service targets the traditional space industry involved in upstream technology but is designed in particular for industries with little or no experience with space missions or spacecrafts. In order to achieve this ease of access and simplicity, a series of technological innovations and advanced processes were implemented.

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Seibersdorf Laboratories

Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, operating under the brand name Seibersdorf Laboratories, is a reliable partner for high-precision laboratory analysis and complex measurement technology. The space activities of Seibersdorf Labor GmbH focus on the study of space radiation and its effects on humans, electronic components, systems, and materials - Seibersdorf Radiation Hardness Assurance.

Seibersdorf Laboratories offers an extensive infrastructure and test facilities, such as newly developed reference dosimeter payload for nanosatellites SATDOS.

Seibersdorf Laboratories is known for its commitment to providing high quality laboratory analyses and cutting-edge measurement technologies and aims to be the primary partner for radiation hardness testing, offering advanced numerical investigations and customized solutions to meet evolving industry needs.

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