Nano-Satellites for Micro-Technology Pre-Qualification: The Delfi Program of Delft University of Technology

Abstract

The Delfi program run at Delft University of Technology has the objective to provide a means of fast and affordable pre-qualification of new (micro-)technology in space. A second objective is to offer to MSc students the possibility to graduate on real hardware and software development for space missions. The first satellite in this program is Delfi-C3, a 3 kg CubeSat, which flies a new type of Thin Film Solar Cells, two Autonomous Wireless Sun Sensors and a miniaturized UHF-VHF transponder. Next in the series will be a Delfi-C3 successor, on which a more efficient power subsystem and a high efficiency Advanced Transceiver will be flown. Further missions are considered which will fly micro-technology now under development in the MISAT research program. The paper describes the Delfi-C3 mission and satellite with its payload. Emphasis is given to technical solutions and the way the project is implemented in the university’s educational program. An overview is given of the current status of the project and plans for the future development of Delfi missions are outlined.