About OPS-SAT Space Lab
OPS-SAT Space Lab is an ESA service to help accelerate innovation in OPS related areas. It uses powerful, reconfigurable space elements that can be used for in-flight experimentation not possible or desirable on other missions.
The service provides access to these labs for all European industry and institutions, using a fast, cost free, non-bureaucratic process. Industry can concentrate on generating value while ESA assumes the risk of performing these experiments.
Capture by OPS-SAT-1 © ESA
Activities
Activities
FOX
FOX is an open-to-use, flexible mission control and validation environment based at ESA’s operations centre in Darmstadt, Germany, made up of a lab and two antennas.
Contact: FOX@esa.int
Contact: FOX@esa.int
Learn more
Activities
ARTES ScyLight
ScyLight is one of ESA’s three Strategic Programme Lines, alongside 4S and Space for 5G/6G, established by Member States to focus on optical and quantum communications. It pioneers next generation optical and quantum technologies for satellite communications, with emphasis on ultra secure connectivity and integration of space assets into terrestrial networks.
Learn more
ACTIVITIES
On-Board Data Compression
OPS-SAT Space Lab provides advice and support to anyone wishing to implement the CCSDS 124.0-B-1 standard that is based on POCKET+. POCKET+ is a lossless delta compression algorithm implemented using very low-level processor instructions such as OR, XOR, AND, etc. It can run with low CPU usage and, more importantly, with a short execution time.
Learn more
Operational Training
Training
ESA Academy
OPS-SAT Space Lab supports different ESA Academy courses in topics like spacecraft operations, communications and CubeSats. Some activity examples include the Ladybird Guides to Spacecraft Operations/Communications courses and the CubeSat Summer School. Visit the ESA Academy website for upcoming opportunities.
Learn more
Training
Operations Simulations
During the operations simulations exercises participants navigate pre-designed scenarios while adhering to established voice communication protocols, spacecraft procedures and time constraints. Immersing the participants in the heart of a genuine operational setting, where they are tasked with making critical decisions to successfully overcome the presented challenges. These exercises have been successfully integrated into ESA internal training courses and outreach activities.
Training
Sim-Ops
Sim-Ops is an open-source software suite for running spacecraft operations simulations exercises and demonstrations. It includes a minimalist spacecraft simulator, a ground station simulator and a Monitoring and Control System (MCS). Visit the project homepage for more information.
Learn more
OPS-SAT Missions
OPERATIONAL
MISSIONS
OPS-SAT PRETTY
- Available now
- SDR RX and GNSS
- On-board applications and firmware
ESA's OPS-SAT PRETTY mission offers a reconfigurable Linux based processing platform, a configurable Software-defined Radio, and a GNSS receiver for in-orbit experimentation. OPS-SAT PRETTY is 100% dedicated to OPS-SAT Space Lab and is available now.
Learn more
IN DEVELOPMENT
MISSIONS
OPS-SAT VOLT
- Launch '26
- Optical and quantum telecommunications
The OPS-SAT concept has been adopted by the ESA ARTES ScyLight Strategic Programme Line to create OPS-SAT VOLT, offering reconfigurable payloads that enable in-orbit testing and demonstration of cutting-edge technologies.
Learn more
IN DEVELOPMENT
MISSIONS
OPS-SAT ORIOLE
- Launch '26
- Optical telecommunications
The OPS-SAT concept has been adopted by the ESA ARTES ScyLight Strategic Programme Line to create OPS-SAT ORIOLE, which aims to enable in-orbit demonstration of a hybrid optical telecommunication and thermal camera main payload.
Learn more
RE-ENTERED
MISSIONS
OPS-SAT-1
- Decayed 2024-05
- 4.5 years of in-orbit experiments
ESA's OPS-SAT is the first of its kind, with the sole purpose of testing and validating new techniques in mission control and on-board satellite systems. The satellite is only 30cm high, but it contains an experimental computer ten times more powerful than any current ESA spacecraft.
Learn more