Smaller
Miniaturization is the engine of innovation in spaceflight: it enables satellites to be lighter, cheaper and easier to build. The scientists at TU Delft Space Institute push the miniaturization of space sensors systems by developing miniaturized radar systems and optical instruments, among others. The institute also works on platform technology for sensor systems, which shortens the development time of satellites.

Never seen before
Terahertz sensing is a young field of astronomy: it bridges the gap between infrared and microwave radiation. TU Delft is world leader in the field of superconducting terahertz sensors. Our scientists develop and build extremely sensitive detectors for astronomers to use in telescopes, balloon missions and satellites. This will give us new insights into our universe, from the life cycle of the interstellar medium to the evolution of galaxies and the physics of the time shortly after the Big Bang.

Planet Earth
Satellites do not only observe deep space. The majority of satellites is built for navigation, communication and earth observation. Todays weather forecasts, climate predictions and environmental knowledge rely heavily on satellite data. Atmospheric modeling is an important research topic within TU Delft Space Institute, as well as geophysical modeling. The TU Delft Space Institute collaborates with the TU Delft Institutes for Climate, Safety & Security and Transport.

Big Data
With sensors getting better, the data flow from satellites to earth grows at a fast pace. It is a challenge to manage this data flow. A way to overcome this is processing data on board, instead of on the ground. This comes at a cost, since the raw data are lost in the process. Scientists of TU Delft Space Institute develop new strategies to keep the right balance between the two.

Off the shelf
Commercial technologies for smartphones and the automotive industry are designed to be used solely on earth. Many high-quality electronical circuits and micro-mechanical components (MEMS) are not finding their way into usage in satellites, only because it is unknown if they will survive the harsh environment. The TU Delft Space Institute will enlarge the toolbox of space robotics by designing satellite systems based on bulk market technologies and demonstrating their proper functioning in space.

On-orbit servicing
Space debris is increasingly endangering spaceflight activities. Using nanosatellites to de-orbit debris is a great idea, but each of the required steps – finding, approaching, moving – is a challenging research field on its own. The TU Delft Space Institute has the expertise to provide highly technological input in all these domains. The focus of Space Robotics will be on handling and collecting space debris. Agile systems need to be developed to deal with uncertainties in the dynamical parameters of the debris. The institute will set up ground verification facilities to test the developed concepts. At a later stage, the same technologies could be used for servicing satellites in orbit.

Micropropulsion
To be able to fly nanosatellites in formation or in swarms, the development of miniaturized propulsion systems is essential. Microthrusters need to be efficient, accurate and reliable. The TU Delft Space Institute is researching several types of microthrusters, like cold gas thrusters and resistojets, created in MEMS technology. The institute will lay the groundwork for electric propulsion concepts as well.

Assembly in space
Assembly of large structures in space is a hot topic that will be researched, to facilitate the setup of large infrastructure in space like giant telescopes, transport vehicles or resource harvesting systems for celestial objects.

Networked space systems
Networked space systems form virtual instruments with unprecedented functionality. Single spacecraft have a typical revisiting time of ten to twenty days, for example. Using multiple spacecraft lowers revisiting times immensely which opens possibilities in remote sensing. In a multiple small satellite system, large and varying baselines can be established between the satellites; this creates large virtual instruments. TU Delft Space Institute develops new concepts for global and timely coverage of space systems, as well as systems for distributed control and operation.

Miniaturisation
Spaceflight used to be dominated by the use of conventional, well-proven technologies. Nowadays, new technologies will find their way to space quicker than ever before. Due to miniaturization the development times of space systems are getting shorter: the typical development time of CubeSats in the Delfi-Space Program is 2 to 3 years. This paves the way to the privatization of space. Concurrent engineering is a methodology to reduce development time. This design method is an important research topic at the Space Institute.

Orbit determination
Navigating distributed space systems is a challenge, where Delft’s long tradition on precise orbit determination and navigation comes in handy. And since accumulating space debris forms an increasing threat to space systems, collision avoidance is a priority at the TU Delft Space Institute as well.

Missions
TU Delft Space Institute does not only research ground-breaking technologies. Its engineers and researchers also develop missions to demonstrate innovative distributed space systems – in close collaboration with knowledge institutes and companies. Actually going to space is by far the best way to test our new technologies to the limit.