RESEARCH AREAS

The TSL’s missions carry strong research components; in the course of designing, building, testing, and operating small satellites, the TSL seeks to develop innovative solutions that advance the state of the art in:

  • the use of fractionated spacecraft to cooperatively accomplish complex mission objectives
  • the use of small satellites to improve space domain awareness
  • orbital debris mitigation using small satellites
  • multi-satellite formation flying
  • low-thrust propulsion for orbital maneuvers and station keeping
  • attitude determination and control under strict size, power, and budget constraints
  • modular hardware and software design that reduces mission development cost, time, and risk