Peer-Reviewed Article

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Performance and Link Quality of an Advanced Satellite Communications Subsystem and Ground Segment in the 70cm Amateur Radio Band

Michael Taraba and Philipp Geyer – Quantum Optics, Quantum Nanophysics and Quantum Information Faculty of Physics University of Vienna, Austria; Thomas Turetschek, Thomas Dorn, Harald Fauland, Pablo Cañamares, Georg Ockermüller, Robert Kralofsky, and Reinhard Tauber – Space Tech Group Austria, STG-A Association for Space Research, Vienna, Austria; Roland Blach – Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria; Carsten Scharlemann – Aerospace Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, Austria

JoSS, Vol. 13, No. 01 (Sept./Oct. 2024) pp. 1249–1264
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 16 Pages (6,700 kb)

Special Themed Issue: Guatemala’s Pioneering Quetzal-1 Project

Letter to the Editor

LtE-ThumbSuccess of Guatemala’s Quetzal-1 Project

L. Zea , V. Ayerdi, J. Bagur, D. Álvarez, and A. Aguilar-Nadalini – Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala

Dear Editor,

We are honored that the Journal of Small Satellites’ (JoSS’s) first themed issue features Quetzal-1, Guatemala’s first satellite: a 1U CubeSat that operated in orbit from April to November 2020. Of special note, because there are no graduate level engineering programs in Guatemala, this project was undertaken and completed mainly by undergraduate students. Moreover, budget limitations on this pioneering space project required our team to develop several of the satellite’s subsystems in-house. In this context, the project’s leadership is proudest of the fact that Quetzal-1 was developed, tested, and operated by a group of around 100 people averaging 21 years of age, leading to the project’s landmark successes and the laying the foundation for further satellite research and development in Guatemala.

JoSS, Vol. 12, No. 02 (May/June 2023) pp. 1249–1250
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 2 Pages (215 kb)

Peer-Reviewed Articles

Thumbnail-Aguilar-Nadalini Design and On-Orbit Performance of the Electrical Power System for the Quetzal-1 CubeSat

Aldo Aguilar-Nadalini, Kuk H. Chung, Cecilia Marsicovetere, José A. Bagur, Juan F. Medrano, Emilio Miranda, Víctor Ayerdi, Luis Zea — Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala

JoSS, Vol. 12, No. 02 (May/June 2023) pp. 1201–1229
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 29 Pages (886 kb)

Thumbnail-Alvarez Design and On-Orbit Performance of the Attitude Determination and Passive Control System for the Quetzal-1 CubeSat

Dan Alvarez, Aldo Aguilar-Nadalini, José Bagur, Víctor Ayerdi, and Luis Zea — Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Guatemala City, Guatemala

JoSS, Vol. 12, No. 02 (May/June 2023) pp. 1231–1247
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 17 Pages (882 kb)

In Memorium
Adarsh Deepak, PhD, Founding Managing Editor of JoSS and Chair of A. Deepak Publishing (ADP)

It is with deep sadness that we share with our JoSS friends and supporters news of the December 5, 2022 passing of the Founder and Managing Editor of the Journal of Small Satellites, Adarsh Deepak, PhD. His leadership, creative mind, and dedication to the smallsat community are the forces that led to the founding and development of this Journal, among his many other accomplishments.

 
Please watch for a future JoSS tribute to Dr. Deepak’s generous life of service to this and other communities.
 
 
 
 
 
Peer-Reviewed Articles

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Hardware Architecture for Evolutionary SmallSat Pedagogy and Space Workforce Development

Spencer Temkin and Jin S. Kang – Aerospace Engineering Dept., United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD US;  John Moore – Institute for Earth Observations, Palmyra, NJ US;  Maximillian Holliday – Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA US

JoSS, Vol. 12, No. 01 (Feb. 2023) pp. 1187–1200
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 14 Pages (513 kb)

Peer-Reviewed Articles

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In-Space Radiometric Calibration of Nanosatellite Camera

Olli Knuuttila and Esa Kallio – Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Finland Noora Partamies and Mikko Syrjäsuo – The University Centre, Svardbard, Norway Olli Knuuttila, Kirsti Kauristie, Viktoria Sofieva, Ari-Matti Harri, Antti Kestilä, Jarmo Kivekäs, Petri Koskimaa, Jouni Rynӧ, and Johanna Tamminen – Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland Petri Kärhä – Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Finland; Juha-Matti Lukkari – Huld Oy, Finland; Arno Alho – Iceye Oy, Finland; Tuija Pulkkinen – University of Michigan, MI US

JoSS, Vol. 11, No. 03 (Oct. 2022) pp. 1165–1186
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 22 Pages (1,862 kb)