NanoFF-Nanosatellites in Formation Flight

The NanoFF mission, conducted at the Chair of Space Technology at TU Berlin, aims to demonstrate both manual and autonomous close-proximity formation flight capabilities using two CubeSats in Low Earth Orbit. Deployed from an orbital transfer vehicle into a carefully designed helix orbit in January 2024, the CubeSat formation ensures passive collision safety and stability. The mission's objectives include the technology demonstration of deployable solar panels, star-trackers, S-band downlink, and a resistojet propulsion system. The primary payload is an Earth Observation camera system with four spectral channels. Additionally, the satellites are equipped with an ultra-high frequency based inter-satellite link for data exchange during autonomous formation flight operations and precise navigation supported by multi-constellation GNSS receivers and laser retro-reflectors. The NanoFF mission showcases cutting-edge space technology and paves the way for future advancements in satellite formation flight, close proximity operations and Earth observation.