On June 20th, the first five nanosatellites of Kinéis (Toulouse, France) successfully lifted off into Space aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Māhia Peninsula (New Zealand).  
Two days later, on June 22nd, it was SVOM, a French-Chinese astrophysics satellite, that took off from the Xichang launch base (Sichuan province, China).

SPACEBEL has played a key role in both Space missions, supplying modelling and simulation software.

Kinéis

The Kinéis constellation comprises a total of 25 nanosatellites designed to set up an Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure. These small satellites, each weighing some 30kg and orbiting at 635km above our heads, will be able to geolocate a beacon, sensor or any other object anywhere on Earth, even in remote areas, and transmit the collected information in near real-time to the ground. There are dozens of possible applications, ranging from agriculture, forestry and the environment, to defence, energy and emergency services, etc. Between now and 2025, four other launches have been announced to complete the IoT network in order to revolutionize global connectivity.

Over a period of 4 years, SPACEBEL has developed the tools required to manage all aspects of the Kinéis constellation simulation. This simulation covers the 20 ground stations and 25 satellites, enabling the Kinéis and CNES teams to train and prepare for operations. These simulators were also used by Hemeria, the satellite manufacturer, to validate their developments. It has been a truly enriching challenge for our teams, given the complexity of the work and the huge number of satellites involved.

SVOM

A joint project between the French Space agency (CNES) and the Chinese Space agency (CNSA), SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor) is meant to unlock the secrets of gamma-ray bursts, the most energetic phenomena in the Universe, probably resulting from the explosion of the most massive stars. The energy emitted by these bursts is impressive.       
Positioned at an altitude of 625 km, this 930 kg satellite will scan the cosmos for 3 years using 4 main instruments covering the gamma-ray, X-ray, visible and near-infrared spectra. A large ground segment is complementing the observations.

SPACEBEL has participated in this scientific mission with several software developments in the field of modelling and simulation:

• System validation bench for one of the instruments on the SVOM satellite, deployment and support for its implementation during operational tests;
• Small Body Mapping Tool (SBMT), a major component of the French mission centre;
• Development of a hybrid simulator (hardware & software) for the satellite's Payload Data Processing Unit (PDPU);
• Support to CNES during deployment on targets, training, warranty and maintenance in operational condition.

These two new references confirm SPACEBEL's position as a European leader in Space modelling and simulation.