Passive Nanosatellite Tracking and Telemetry RF Tag
Stellar Exploration, Inc.
Low-cost, passive RFID-like RF tracking tag for small satellites, using backscatter modulation from space radars with no power draw on the host.
Key figurescomparable across the catalogue
- Lead time
- 3 months
Normalised to common units so this product can be compared with others in its category. The supplier's own wording is below.
As published by the supplier
- Modulation
- Backscatter modulation from space radars
- Power
- Fully passive, energy harvesting (no host power draw)
- Mounting
- No harnessing, deployment or release switches required
- Lead time
- 3 months
- Flight heritage
- NASA PACE-1 and PACE-2 satellites
- Dimensions
- 5 cm x 5 cm x 1 cm
About
The Stellar Exploration RF tag is a truly low-cost passive device, similar to an RFID tag, that can be attached to all small satellites. Using backscatter modulation from space radars, the RF tag communicates satellite telemetry without requiring an active transmitter. Due to the nature of the passive device, it presents absolutely no risk to the host satellite or to range safety.
The tag relies entirely on passive energy harvesting, and thus requires no harnessing, deployment mechanisms or release switches — it can simply be mounted to the exterior of a spacecraft. The design is low cost and robust throughout the operational lifetime of the tracked object.
Stellar Exploration designed and developed this passive RF tag for satellite tracking as a payload on NASA’s PACE-1 and PACE-2 satellites.
Documentation
Need the full ICD, test reports or a specific revision? Ask the supplier directly.