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.
Typed specifications7 values
Discloses 4 of 13 fields engineers filter by in this category (category median 3).
- Envelope (L×W×H)
- 5 cm x 5 cm x 1 cm product page roughly 5 cm x 5 cm x 1 cm ultimate device, expected; current prototype is physically la…
- Modulation
- other passive backscatter of ground radar signals (RF tag) · product page
- Lead time
- 3 months product page
- Function
- other passive RF tag; does not transmit, modulates its antenna impe… · datasheet p.1
- Link use
- other satellite tracking, space object ID and radar track associati… · datasheet p.1
- Flight heritage
- NASA PACE-1 and PACE-2 satellites product page
Each value is typed with its unit and measurement condition and cites the datasheet page it was taken from. Nothing is guessed: a field that is absent here has not been published by the manufacturer. machine-extracted ✓ checked by NewSpace Market ✓ manufacturer confirmed by the manufacturer.
As published by the supplier6 lines, in the manufacturer's own wording
- 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.