DragonSat is based on the Qubik platform by the Libre Space Foundation, featuring a compact yet advanced design that integrates cutting-edge photonic technology. This enables precise generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states, capturing critical data that will drive the development of secure quantum communication and computing technologies.
PocketQube: 1P Chassis Based on Qubik by the Libre Space Foundation
Payload Average Power: 1W
ADCS: Passive Bar Magnet
Mass: 250g
Payload: Quantum Light Module
Antenna: Deployable 437 MHz UHF dipole antenna
Payload Data Downlink:1.2kb/s (UHF)
The payload is capable of preparing, transmitting, and measuring quantum states with exceptional precision, ensuring reliable performance despite the challenges of microgravity and space radiation. An onboard data processing unit handles real-time analysis and secure storage of experimental results, while a robust power system—consisting of solar panels and batteries—ensures continuous operation throughout the mission.
DragonSat is a cutting-edge 1P PocketQube satellite designed for advanced space research and exploration. Based on the Qubik platform by the Libre Space Foundation, it is engineered with high-strength anodized Aluminum 6061-T6 for enhanced space durability. Weighing ≤ 250g and measuring just 50mm x 50mm x 50mm, DragonSat is built for efficiency and resilience. Featuring multi-layer insulation (MLI) and conductive paint for thermal regulation, it is fully compatible with AlbaPod and other deployers meeting PQ9 standards. Rigorously tested to withstand 14g RMS launch loads, DragonSat represents a new frontier in compact, high-performance satellite technology.
DragonSat is equipped with a highly efficient power subsystem, ensuring optimal energy management in space. Its triple-junction GaAs solar panels achieve ~30% efficiency, generating approximately 1W of power, depending on sunlight exposure. A robust Li-Po/Li-Ion battery with a 1000mAh capacity (~3.7Wh) provides reliable energy storage, while the Power Distribution Unit (PDU) delivers regulated 3.3V and 5V outputs. Integrated Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) ensures efficient power optimisation for long-term mission sustainability.
For onboard computing and data handling, DragonSat is equipped with an ARM Cortex-M4 or RISC-V-based microcontroller, operating at ~100–200 MHz and paired with 512 KB RAM and 8 MB Flash storage, with optional SD card expansion. The system runs on a Real-Time OS (RTOS) or custom firmware, supporting I²C, SPI, UART, and GPIO interfaces for seamless communication and control. To enhance mission reliability, the satellite features a watchdog timer and reset mechanisms for redundancy and fault tolerance, ensuring uninterrupted operation in the harsh conditions of space.
DragonSat’s communication subsystem ensures seamless data transmission and reception through a robust UHF (437 MHz) link. Equipped with a deployable dipole antenna, it operates at a data rate of 1.2 kbps using Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) modulation. The transceiver, configurable up to 100mW, provides reliable performance while optimising power consumption. To enhance signal integrity, DragonSat employs Reed-Solomon and convolutional encoding for error correction, ensuring data resilience in challenging space environments. Fully compatible with the Libre Space Network and SatNOGS, DragonSat enables global tracking and mission support through an open-access ground station network, reinforcing its role in collaborative space exploration.
DragonSat is a pioneering PocketQube satellite developed in Wales, showcasing the region’s growing expertise in space technology. This flagship mission brings together innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to push the boundaries of space-based quantum communications. Designed for cutting-edge experiments in quantum communications, DragonSat will investigate quantum entanglement and coherence in the microgravity environment of space. By leveraging this unique setting, the mission aims to advance our understanding of secure quantum networks and lay the foundation for next-generation space-based quantum technologies.
