Repurposable payloads: concept, design, and initial results

This paper introduces “repurposable payloads”, a new concept that transforms satellite payloads into versatile, all-purpose servers in space, optimized for efficient operations across multiple services, such as earth observation data processing and telecommunication network functions. Utilizing a compact, generic operating system and its software libraries, our system offers a common platform where different dedicated peripherals such as antennas or inter-satellite link modems can be integrated, and on top of which multiple applications can be installed and executed. We also detail a high-level architecture, illustrating its advantages in terms of enhanced customization flexibility for on-board processing. We provide an initial proof-of concept design, highlighting the best practices in implementation and an initial assessment of the new system. The evaluation results indicate promising performance, paving the way for a shift towards greater adaptability in satellite network design and functionality.