Speaker
Description
Athene-1 is the first small satellite of the University of the Bundeswehr Munich and is part of SeRANIS (Seamless Radio Access Networks for Internet of Space), a national space program funded to develop innovative space technologies and enhance satellite communication capabilities in Germany. The program establishes a new benchmark for national space capabilities by embracing New Space principles, including reduced development costs, agile engineering processes, and accelerated access to orbit. This satellite is the result of a successful co-engineering effort between an institutional customer and OHB LuxSpace, acting as platform owner, satellite integrator, and unit designer.
SeRANIS Athene-1 hosts one of the most diverse and challenging payload suites flown on a small satellite (<300 kg) to date. The spacecraft accommodates 15 experiments and more than 30 individual payload units, encompassing a broad range of technologies, including RF antennas operating across multiple frequency bands (L, Ka, Ku, S, UHF/VHF, and X), infrared and visible imaging systems, propulsion technologies, laser communication systems, and software-based and artificial intelligence experiments. This unprecedented payload diversity introduces significant challenges for spacecraft thermal design, driven by the wide range of operational modes, power dissipation profiles and accommodation requirements.
Athene-1 is embarked on the Triton-X Heavy platform and incorporates two IAUs (Integrated Avionic Unit) acting as onboard computers. Both the platform and avionics architectures were designed and qualified by OHB LuxSpace under ESA funding and will be demonstrated in orbit for the first time. The mission will provide valuable in-orbit validation of these technologies and support the development of future satellite constellations. Electronic units designed by OHB Czech, a fellow company within the OHB group, have also been installed on the satellite to support payload operations.
This presentation shows the thermal design approach adopted for SeRANIS Athene-1, beginning with a high-level overview of the mission architecture and the associated thermal challenges. The thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaign is then described, including the test philosophy and verification objectives. Finally, the results of the campaign are presented, together with the thermal model correlation process and the lessons learned for future small satellite missions.