Highest on-board computing power for small satellites

HiVE mission: a satellite constellation project for precise Earth observation

Following on from the successful LisR mission, constellr GmbH is currently preparing the “High precision Versatile Ecosphere” (HiVE) mission. The constellation of microsatellites will begin with the launch of the first satellite at the end of 2024. 30 satellites are expected to image the Earth in the visible and near-infrared spectrum and, in particular, in the thermal infrared spectrum by 2032.

Constellr will offer a land-surface temperature (LST) data product with a ground resolution of 30 m per pixel based on the data obtained with HiVE. The aim is to improve the analysis of plant growth, water use and carbon cycles for users in the agricultural sector.

Constellr is being supported in the development of the HiVE satellites by a consortium consisting of OHB System AG, Kongsberg NanoAvionics and Fraunhofer EMI. OHB is supplying the multispectral payload, while NanoAvionics is responsible for the satellite platform. The work is being funded by the European Space Agency ESA.

Data processing and redundancy

In addition to the patented technology developed at Fraunhofer EMI concerning a new radiometric calibration method, EMI’s expertise in the field of on-board data processing is also being used in the HiVE mission. EMI is contributing its Data Processing Unit (DPU) as the central computer for the payload of the HiVE satellites.

The DPU is a compact system based on low-cost commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic components. All image data is pre-processed by the DPU and temporarily stored there until it is transmitted to Earth. The DPU is also responsible for controlling and monitoring the payload. The DPU software can be reconfigured during the mission and is designed for a high degree of automation on the one hand and the greatest possible flexibility in operation on the other. 

The DPU for HiVE is based on the successful development for the LisR mission. In order to meet the high requirements of a commercial mission, the design of the DPU has been revised and is now fully redundant. All internal components are now available at least twice in order to be able to switch to the redundant unit in the event of a fault. The redundancy of the hardware is supplemented by software measures to further increase reliability. For example, the entire software of the DPU is stored in a total of 18 copies on six different memory modules.

Spin-off writes success story

As part of the HiVE mission, EMI’s DPU was also qualified for the first time with regard to vibrations and thermal vacuum environment in accordance with the European space standards ECCS. The necessary qualification tests were carried out in EMI’s satellite laboratory. The first flight model of the data processing unit for HiVE was delivered to constellr at the beginning of 2024 and is currently being integrated into the satellite. Work then began at EMI on the subsequent DPU models for the HiVE constellation.

The success story of constellr as an EMI spin-off is about to reach the next stage. Fraunhofer EMI is proud to be able to continue to support this development by transfer of Fraunhofer technology.