HAWK Platform: Challenges of Operating Micro-Satellites in Deep-Space
by Ludovica Bozzoli (Presenter)
Argotec Srl, Italy
Abstract – Abstract: Operating a micro-satellite-class platform has always come with many challenges: the small form factor and limited budget most of the times imply leveraging a careful-COTS approach, a serious tailoring of applicable space standards commonly used to guarantee mission assurance, and none or little margin for redundancy. In addition, employing such platforms for the unmanned/remote exploration of deep-space increase the challenges: severe limitations of telecommunication opportunities, radiation-related treats and higher cost-per-kg of mass are all factors that further constraint mission and spacecraft design. In this context, Argotec developed a portfolio of avionics products targeting this market niche, producing On-Board Computers (OBCs) and Power Conversion and Distribution Units (PCDUs) which, for the first time, bring high-reliability and radiation-robustness in CubeSat-compatible form factors. These technologies, at the heart of Argotec HAWK Platform, enabled the execution of the first entirely Italian deep-space missions, LICIACube and ArgoMoon. This presentation aims at introducing these missions, Argotec solutions and to discuss some of the reliability strategies successfully employed to guarantee mission assurance.
Ludovica Bozzoli
Ludovica Bozzoli holds a MSc in Electronics Engineering and a Ph.D. in Computer and Control Engineering, focused on Radiation Effects on Reconfigurable FPGAs, both from Politecnico di Torino.
She works in space industry since 2021, where she started focusing on Radiation Hardening of FPGA-based Telecom Payloads. Currently, she is an Avionics System Engineer as part of the Electronics Unit at Argotec, a company focused on the development of high-performance and high-reliability microsatellite platforms used both in Earth’s orbit and for missions in deep-space. She is active as Radiation Specialist and Product Owner for Avionics Subsystems development.
