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ESA and GomSpace Enable Continuation of GOMX-5’s Mission

These two companies have agreed to continue the development of the GOMX-5 mission focusing on demonstrating new nanosatellite capabilities in space, particularly for next generation constellations in Low Earth Orbit.

GomSpace A/S and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a contract to continue the development of the GOMX-5 mission. focused on demonstrating new nanosatellite capabilities in space, particularly for next generation constellations in Low Earth Orbit. This includes significant increases in payload data downlink communication rates, maneuverability for orbit raising and end-of-life disposal, and satellite position accuracy. The contract value is EUR 1,300,000. The amount will be divided between GomSpace A/S and TICRA, whereof GomSpace share is 1,225,000 EUR.

The GOMX-5 mission will consist of a 12U nanosatellite in the 20kg class to be launched in Q2 2022. The GOMX-5 platform is further improved for increased power handling, payload volume and reliability over longer mission durations. Furthermore, the satellite will be equipped with several advanced payloads, which are announced to be: 

  • TICRA (DK) for X-Band high gain reflectarray antenna, coupled with an X-band transmitter from GomSpace 
  • ThrustMe (FR) for Electrical Propulsion
  • EICAS (IT) with miniaturised and improved star tracker
  • Syrlinks (FR) with advanced GNSS Precise Pointing Positioning receiver
  • Deimos (PT) and University of Padova (IT) with high accuracy GNSS receiver
  • Cobham Gaisler (SE), GMV (PL), LIRMM (FR) and UFSC (BR) with powerful radiation tolerant Advanced Payload Processors (APPs) including a GNSS Software receiver.
  • Tartu Observatory (EE) with a lightweight Earth observation imager with a radiometric calibration module
  • AIKO (IT) bringing state of the art automation AI into the spacecraft
  • Czech Technical University, Institute of Experimental and Applied Physics (CZ) with state-of-the-art radiation monitor

GomSpace has successfully implemented phase A/B of the GOMX-5 mission. The present contract will cover Phase C/D and is supported by Denmark through the Fly element of the ESA General Support Technology Program (GSTP).