The presentation will highlight some of the challenges of a dynamically changing global Space context. In particular, it will focus the attention on recent trends reflecting a new approach to the use and operation of satellites with larger constellations given lower costs and shorter lifetime. The presentation will point the attention on the need for supporting the competitiveness of the European Space sector. The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, as a guideline of the EU Space Research for 2021-2027, will be presented with particular focus on the chapter covering Space spin-in activities and view on COTS components.

Key Note Speech 2: Radiation Assurance on COTS – Philippe Calvel

Inmarsat, as the pioneer and world leader in mobile satellite communications, is pleased to see the technological advancements in the manufacturing and use of COTS for space applications. Use of COTS is considered one the enabling technologies for seizing market opportunities and lowering the cost of delivered capacity in-orbit. Consequently, Inmarsat has welcomed warmly satellite manufacturers for use of COTS due to interesting performances combined with lower prices. In May 2019, Inmarsat announced an order with Airbus Defence & Space to build three satellites based on the OneSat design: Airbus’ standard, modular, and fully reconfigurable satellite platform offering a reduced cost and faster time to orbit. Even though Inmarsat is seeing use of COTS positively, classical product assurance principles continue to be practiced and applied and the use of every COTS needs to be approved. in summary, Inmarsat thinks the use of COTS is the path for the future but continues to request assurance in the areas of radiation hardness, reliability, derating and environmental suitability. However, when faced with new unparalleled performances, Inmarsat is open to new thinking and innovative solutions to achieve assurance for space environment.

This presentation will highlight the interest to use COTS for defence, describe some of the specificities and challenges associated with the introduction of COTS in military equipment and conclude with some recommendations and roadmap to support European non-dependence on COTS for defence and Space.

As an annual conference it serves as an exchange platform in Germany for demand and availability of EEE-components, new technologies for future applications, status of ongoing national development and qualification programmes, information of planned activities, information of national funding opportunities and updates on ESCC and ECSS with support of ESA.

Small Satellite programs and short-duration missions are often characterized by limited budgets and short schedules, where protecting the precious opportunity for a ride to space on time is critical. In addition, increasing demands for advanced on-orbit capability through innovative technologies drive developers to use OTS (off the shelf) electronic parts, e.g., commercial, automotive, aviation, and industrial grade, as a key tactic. The challenge is that, while inexpensive, plentiful and highly-capable, much is unknown about these parts’ sensitivity to the natural radiation environment they will be exposed to in various orbits and in deep space. Due to multiple, interdependent constraints, such data is terrifically hard to come by. Meanwhile, the science and engineering workforce with vast radiation test experience is in a state of transition, with many experienced members exiting the space industry and the cadre of talented technical professionals entering still growing.

A nanosatellite called ANGELS was developed by CNES. The parts procurement policy of this project will be presented. The confidence in the commercial parts of this project is based on 3 pillars: a careful selection, radiation tests and reliability tests at board level. This approach will be presented.

In response to the rapid increase in interest in the use of small satellites, for different types of mission in low earth and interplanetary orbits, the Italian Space Agency have supported a line of national technological developments to allow the realization of a new generation of small, modular and multi platforms mission. These initiatives are devoted to be internationally competitive and to offer an excellent opportunity to test new Italian technologies. Currently estimation is that 20% EEE components in ESA satellites are COTS. No longer a decision if COTS components are needed, but more, how to use them in an appropriate manner according to the mission profile in terms of: Safety, Reliability and Availability. However, main Technology Concerns are related to: Tin whiskers, lead free, Cu wire, Risk Management, Reliability prediction, Derating.

The use of Cubesats is growing. This is mainly due to the need for low-cost communications satellites, new business evolving around earth observation services, and so on. These drive the need for new product solutions for smaller, lighter, and lower cost spacecraft for which DLA’s radiation hardness assured space-grade parts are often an overkill. Furthermore, there is a continuing need to infuse new technology into the QML system. This talk will describe the approaches taken to address these issues and develop standard parts for new missions.

The main barrier to implementing a new methodology for using COTS in space applications is Resistance to Change. Overcoming barriers and debunking well rooted myths, instead of resisting a change, are the way to a proper practical solution to meet present and future requirements. The present space official policies are still penalising the use of COTS, referring to them as “last resort”. The market share of the military/space grade components has decreased to less than 0.3% (in $), questioning the components availability. The only thing certain about the availability security of the military/space EEE components is uncertainty.