Researchers 3D printed and deployed a communication satellite in 90 min

cubesat3d-printingemergency-communicationslorananosatellitetelecommunications

Abstraction: 3D-printed CubeSat on hot-air balloon for rapid emergency communications

Key points:

UOC (Spain) researchers 3D-printed a nanosatellite (CubeSat) in 90 minutes and deployed it via hot-air balloon to establish emergency broadband
System uses three components: pilot station, base station (both ground), and CubeSat acting as repeater; all use LoRa (Long Range) radio technology
RSSI values below -148 dBm; maximum tested range over 14 km
CubeSat can carry photovoltaic cells for autonomous long-duration operation; balloon trajectory calculated via weather simulation
Motivated by Tonga volcanic eruption and Ukraine war communications failures; aims to reduce dependence on Starlink
Published in journal Aerospace; system is low-cost, uses common 3D printer materials, and is highly scalable

Connections: Universitat Oberta De Catalunya · Cubesat · Emergency Telecommunications · 3d Printing