MINIATURE SATELLITES (PocketQubes)

XavSat’s Miniature Satellites are PocketQubes, ranging from 1P to 3P form factors, designed to provide a low-cost, high-reliability platform for rapid orbital deployment. These satellites feature a modular architecture with standardized PCB stacks for power, processing, and communications, enabling rapid prototyping from design to flight-ready hardware. They are compatible with standard MR-FOD or AlbaPod deployers. The On-Board Computer (OBC) utilizes an Atmega328P microcontroller. The Payload supports various communication protocols such as I²C, SPI, and UART. The Power system manages solar energy collection, battery charging, power distribution, and payload subsystems, integrating maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuitry. The Altitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) for the XavSat-1 mission uses the Earth’s magnetic field and a passive bar magnet for stabilization, maintaining orientation without draining onboard power, which is ideal for high-stakes scientific and defense payloads requiring accurate and aligned data. XavSat offers two main configurations: 1p PocketQube Kits (XavSat-P-Kits) for educational or initial space projects, which are entry-level, modular satellite systems (5cm³) providing hands-on experience with core satellite subsystems (OBC, EPS, Radio) and allowing for quick testing in sub-orbital or simulated environments. These kits use standardized, stackable PCB “sandwiches” that meet strict 250g mass limits and are compatible with standard AlbaPod deployers. The second configuration is the Ready-to-Fly (RTF) PocketQube (XavSat-series), a professional-grade, fully functional satellite bus designed for immediate orbital missions. These RTF PocketQubes are complete, integrated spacecraft featuring solar panels for power generation, a high-reliability communication module, and a dedicated module tailored for specific sensors, cameras, or research experiments. They are fully assembled with a flight-proven architecture to ensure reliability from launch to de-orbit. The XavSat-1 mission, Ghana’s first private PocketQube, is set to launch for Earth Temperature and Pressure Profiling, aiming to measure and send back data daily for the mission’s duration.