Structure, Thermal Control and Space Environment Department

The Structures Group

Conducts research and development of structures of spacecraft and aircraft, and space mechanisms, which are exposed to harsh operational environments. The research and development covers a lot of ground, including environmental durability of nozzles and thermal protection systems, coupling problem of large-scale space structure ‘deformation and control, vibration caused by complicated aerodynamic forces, structures of space transport vehicles and satellites, and space mechanisms The Structures and Mechanisms Group also play an active roles in cooperation with various projects and also studies new trends and technologies related to spacecraft structure.

The Thermal Systems Group

Studies thermal control systems (TCS) with high performance and high reliability to meet the design requirements of advanced spacecraft missions. The group also studies space cryogenics to develop techniques to cool down optical detectors and telescopes in the coming generation of astronomical observation satellites with unprecedented levels of sensitivity and resolution. The space environment group also conducts research about new trends and technologies related to spacecraft thermal control.

The Space Environment Group

Researches space environment measurement technologies, studies space environment models which affects the spacecraft and supports spacecraft projects from design to operation. Topics include space environment analyses of anomalies, anomaly prevention (space weather forecast and space environment warning), and other important aspects of spacecraft design criteria. The space environment group also conducts research about new trends and technologies related to space environment.

Spacecraft dynamics & Control Department

This Group studies

• Kinematics and dynamics of spacecraft attitude and orbital motion.
• Sensors for determination of the spacecraft attitude and orbit.
• Actuators used for spacecraft orbital and attitude motion control.
• Algorithms for spacecraft attitude determination and estimation.
• Algorithms for spacecraft orbit determination and estimation.
• Algorithms for spacecraft attitude control.
• Algorithms for spacecraft orbit control.
• Modeling of the disturbance forces and moments which affect the spacecraft orbital and attitude motions.
• Algorithms for selecting the optimum coefficients used in control and estimation.
• New technologies and substitutes related to the spacecraft dynamics and control.

Electric Power & Electronics Department

The Space Power Systems Group is studying ways to enhance the reliability and performance of electric power systems and power generating solar paddles for space application by reducing their size and weight. The main research themes are as follows:

1. Research on technology for electric power systems and batteries for spacecrafts.
2. Research on solar cells and solar paddle systems.

Space Communication& Ground Station Department

Spacecraft collect various types of data as they carry out their mission in orbit. To use the data it must be transmitted back to earth. Command signals must be sent securely to spacecraft and accurate information on spacecraft condition must also be sent back to earth to ensure normal operation. Sure and efficient communications and data handling between spacecraft and ground are therefore crucial. The Telecommunications and data handling Group develop fundamentals technologies for communications and data handling.

Space Software & onboard Computer Department

The domain of Software Systems covers the following aspects:

• Software engineering methods and tools.
• Software technology for onboard and ground systems.
• Software architectures and building blocks.
• System-software co-engineering techniques in which computer code is specified in a concurrent way together with the system.
• Real-time software embedded in spacecraft systems and payloads.
• Ground facilities software, including electrical ground support equipment, test benches, databases and simulation and modeling tools.
• Verification and validation techniques for checking mission-critical software.
• Software standards.

Space Optics Department

Space Optics department is engaged in design, development and production of Electro-Optic sensors and camera optics for satellites and launch vehicles. The sensors include star trackers, earth sensors, sun sensors & processing electronics. Optics Systems include both reflective and refractive optics for remote sensing and meteorological payloads.

Space Mission & Strategic Missile Study Department

The department main concern is to design, develop and study a variety of solutions, systems and in the area of Space Mission and their associated strategic missiles (Launcher).