RADIO TECHNOLOGY FOR NANO-SATS

The MARS² project is a national project investigating unique technology, production capability and products to enable high-bandwidth communication applications for small satellites.

During the last years, the technological focus has shifted from the use of few, large and very expensive satellites to more dynamic networks of small and cheap nano-satellites with the size of a shoebox. Researchers from Aalborg University has, therefore, set out to develop a technology that enables the nano-satellites to have antennas whose radiation can be dynamically controlled.

The aim of the MARS² project is to provide a technology push by gaining leverage from advances in high-frequency (10-40GHz) technology, to realize innovative antenna systems and radio-frequency circuits. An additional aim of the project is to achieve a small-satellite platform with an unprecedented level of modularity, specifically to reduce time-to-market and development cost.
In doing so, the project directly targets a central element in the value chain, which is cost-efficient realization of product flexibility.

A range of researchers from Aalborg University is involved in the project. These are Gert Frølund Pedersen, Ming Shen, Shuai Zhang, Jan H. Mikkelsen and Ole Kiel Jensen. In addition, the Danish companies GomSpace and Pri-Dana Elektronik is contributing to the project.

Innovation Fund Denmark is supporting the project with 27 mio. DKK whereof GomSpace's direct share is 10 mio. DKK.

AAU Space Group - Researchers