GOMX-3
The mission
The GomSpace Express-3 (GOMX-3) was a 3U CubeSat mission aimed at demonstrating aircraft ADS-B signal reception and geostationary telecommunication satellite spot beam signal quality using an L-band reconfigurable software defined radio payload.
Platform: 3U CubeSat with 3-axis pointing.
Payload: reconfigurable software-defined radio in L-band.
Programme: General Support Technology Programme (GSTP).
Contractor: GOMSpace Denmark.
Mission description
The objective of the GOMX-3 mission was to flight demonstrate a miniaturized technology payload to be carried on a 3-unit CubeSat nano-satellite platform developed by GOMSpace and deployed from the ISS during the ESA Short Duration Mission in 2015. The payload consisted of a reconfigurable software-defined radio receiver operating in L-band, and a new 3-axis attitude determination and control subsystem for robust pointing of directional RF antennas. Additionally, the CubeSat platform was flight qualified to tailored ESA standards for CubeSats. The mission led to the maturation of the technology payloads (reconfigurable SDR and 3-axis ADCS system) to high Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) such that they would be used in future missions with a lower technical risk.
The GOMX-3 mission took advantage of a flight opportunity provided within the ISS Short Duration Mission of ESA Danish astronaut, A. Mogensen, during ISS Increment 44. During the SDM, it was planned to deploy a number of Danish CubeSats into orbit for technology demonstration and education purposes. The CubeSat launch and deployment services were provided via the NanoRacks commercial service for ISS. Once deployed in orbit, the GOMX-3 CubeSat was operated by an existing ground segment in Denmark (ground station and mission control centre) which was compatible with the CubeSat system.
New algorithms for reception of ADS-B signals and GEO telecom spot beam characterization were successfully tested. The platform was largely a commercial off-the-shelf item with flight heritage from the GOMX-1 mission and the CubeSat was completely designed, developed and tested within 12 months from kick-off to flight readiness. The IOD mission lasted for about 1 year from ISS deployment to re-entry.
Mission status
Launch: August 2015.
Status: mission complete, re-entry in October 2016.
