FORnanoSatellites: Around 1.8 million euros for research into small satellites

Satellites that are as small as a shoe box are called small satellites. A research project at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) is now investigating how to maximize their technical potential. The long-term goal of “FORnanoSatellites” is to set up automated small series production of small satellites in Bavaria. The Bavarian Research Foundation is providing around 1.8 million euros of funding to the collaborative project over a period of three years.

Conventional satellites are extremely expensive to produce and are only suitable for applications at low orbital heights around the Earth due to their size. Small satellites have significant advantages in this respect. They weigh only a few kilograms, are around the same size as a shoe box and fly around 300 kilometers above the surface of the Earth in the very low Earth orbit (VLEO).

The aim of FORnanoSatellites is to make the production of small satellites more efficient and less expensive. To do so, researchers are analyzing how current technology is built and incorporated into small satellites with the aim of subsequently developing the technology further.

Interdisciplinary collaboration at FAU

ESI-Member Prof. Dr. Dietmar Fey from the Chair of Computer Architecture at FAU is head of the project and explains: “We want to revise the assembly and interconnection technology for components and the computer architecture in order to make the small satellites even more compact. In Erlangen, we are keeping technology independence in mind and are focusing on how to change the concept behind the on-board computer using open source architecture and hardware ‘made in Germany’.”

Another aspect is being investigated at the Chair of Factory Automation and Production Systems (FAPS). Here, the team led by ESI-Member Prof. Dr. Jörg Franke is looking at how to connect mechanical and electronic components using vertical interconnection technology to make the system more compact in future in a low-cost manufacturing process. In addition, it will also be possible to change the design in a web configurator using an Internet browser.

You will find further information at FAU’s press release.

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