ASTREO is the new student team at UniTS dedicated to aerospace. Among the first projects on the agenda is the development of a space debris detector in low Earth orbit.

Your first major project is a radar for detecting space debris based on CubeSat technology. What are its main features?

In recent years, due to the growth of the space sector and the decommissioning of Soviet-era satellites, Earth's orbital pollution has become a real issue. Our goal is to develop a small satellite weighing just a few kilograms, equipped with an advanced radar to detect space debris orbiting the Earth. Space debris consists of fragments—sometimes extremely small—of old rockets or satellites, which pose a risk to both current and future missions. Our satellite will use an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating at 20 GHz, enabling us to accurately detect even the smallest debris.

Your team is interdisciplinary, divided into six different areas. Can you describe them?

Our internal structure is designed to reflect the operational reality of the European Space Agency (ESA), where professionals from various fields collaborate. It is practically impossible to carry out a project of this scale without breaking down traditional academic departmental boundaries.
Currently, the team is divided into six departments, each with a key role:

• Design: Responsible for the structural design of the satellite, ensuring its architecture is optimized to house the radar and withstand the extreme conditions of space.
• Electronics: Develops the electronic circuits required for the radar and other satellite systems, ensuring energy efficiency and reliability.
• Scientific Performance: Analyses the data collected by the radar, assessing the system's effectiveness in detecting and tracking space debris.
• Software: Develops the onboard software for radar control and initial data processing.
• Finance & Legal: Manages the project budget, secures funding, and ensures compliance with relevant regulations.
• Outreach: Handles the communication and promotion of the project.

Additionally, each team has a leader who gains managerial experience within the team.

You mentioned using 3D printing for prototyping. Which components was it used for, and what advantages does it offer over traditional methods?

3D printing is a relatively new technology in the space sector. We have used it for prototyping structural components and parts of the radar antenna. This approach reduces both time and costs. At the same time, it optimizes material usage, minimizing waste and ensuring a more efficient and sustainable production process.

Your radar operates using AESA technology at 20 GHz in the K-band. What advantages does this choice offer over other solutions, and what are the main engineering challenges you have faced?

AESA technology allows us to electronically control the direction of the radar beam without physically moving the antenna, providing greater speed and precision in detection. Operating at 20 GHz in the K-band gives us higher resolution, which is essential for identifying small space debris. However, working at these frequencies presents challenges such as managing the heat generated and requiring highly sophisticated electronic components.

The CubeSat will be equipped with patch modules for controlling the radar beam. How do they work, and how do they improve the system’s debris detection performance?

Patch modules are small antenna elements that can be individually controlled to modify the direction and shape of the radar beam electronically. This allows us to quickly scan large areas of space and adapt to different operational scenarios, improving both efficiency and precision in debris detection.