Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for CubeSat Deorbit Systems: A Comparative Risk Assessment of Drag Sails, Electrodynamic Tethers, and Propulsion Modules
Aisha Shermatova – Kyrgyz-Turkish Anatolian High School for Girls, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
JoSS, Vol. 15, No. 02 (Oct. 2026) pp. 1319–1331
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 13 Pages (905 kb)
Testing and Validation of Transparent Materials for Solar Cell Integrated Satellite Antenna
Mayank, Ville Lunden, Anton Fetzer, Jari Holopainen, Jaan Praks – Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland; Johannes Schumacher – Celestial Space Technologies GmbH, Nürnberg, Germany
JoSS, Vol. 15, No. 01 (May 2026) pp. 1299–1318
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 20 Pages (1,043 kb)
Optimization of a CubeSat Test and Evaluation System for Improved Mission Success
L. Greg Magone and Steve Simske – Department of Systems Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO US
JoSS, Vol. 14, No. 01 (Dec. 2025) pp. 1265–1282
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 18 Pages (1704 kb)
Review of Automatic Position Calibration Techniques for Low-Cost Satellite Ground Stations
Andreas J. Hörmer and Manuela Wenger – Graz University of Technology, Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications, Graz, Austria
JoSS, Vol. 14, No. 01 (Dec. 2025) pp. 1283–1297
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 15 Pages (795 kb)
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)
Success of Guatemala’s Quetzal-1 Project
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Ground-Based,1U-CubeSat Robotic Assembly Demonstration
Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Mary Dahl, and Kerri Cahoy – Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA US
JoSS, Vol. 11, No. 02 (Jun. 2022) pp. 1143–1163
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 21 Pages (1,079 kb)
Firmware Development for an Open-Source Small Satellite Amateur Radio Transceiver
Ricardo J. Saborio Borbon, E. Glenn Lightsey, Sterling Peet, and Aaron J. McDaniel – Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA US
JoSS, Vol. 11, No. 01 (Feb. 2022) pp. 1109–1123
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 15 Pages (1,000 kb)
On Designing Algorithms for Augmentation of On-Orbit CubeSat Sensor Data
Matthew L. Sigue – LCSEE, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV US; Thirimachos Bourlai – MILAB, E.C.E. University of Georgia, Athens, GA US; Max Spolaor – MILNASA Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V), Independent Test Capability (I.T.C.) Jon McBride Software Testing & Research (JSTAR) Laboratory, Fairmont, WV US
JoSS, Vol. 11, No. 01 (Feb. 2022) pp. 1125–1141
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 17 Pages (720 kb)
Thermal Modeling and Analysis of a Cube Satellite: Passive Thermal Coating Observatory Operating in Low Earth Orbit (PATCOOL)
Tanya N. Martin and Riccardo Bevilacqua, PhD – ADvanced Autonomous MUltiple Spacecraft (ADAMUS) Laboratory,University of Florida, Gainesville, FL US
JoSS, Vol. 10, No. 03 (Oct. 2021) pp. 1061–1074
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 14 Pages (1,000 kb)
Optimized Design of a Thermal Vacuum Testbed for Nanosatellite Verification Tests
Yoel Arcos and Pini Gurfil – Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; Michael Koenig – Department of Mechanical Engineering, Braude College of Engineering, Karmiel, Israel
JoSS, Vol. 10, No. 03 (Oct. 2021) pp. 1075–1095
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 21 Pages (1,189 kb)
Using a CubeSat Reference Architecture for Accelerated Model Development and Analysis
Major Sean Kelly, Dr. David Jacques, Dr. Brad Ayres, Dr. Richard Cobb, Dr. Thomas Ford – Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH US
JoSS, Vol. 10, No. 03 (Oct. 2021) pp. 1097–1108
First Page (Abstract) / Download Full Article PDF 12 Pages (1,041 kb)