InnoCube – First In-Orbit Results of the Fully Wireless Satellite Data Bus

The Innovative CubeSat for Education (InnoCube) mission is a technology demonstration CubeSat that relies entirely on a wireless data bus for intra satellite communication. It was launched in January 2025 onboard SpaceX Transporter-12. This paper presents the mission objectives and initial results, with a particular focus on the performance and reliability of the wireless system. InnoCube is a collaborative project between the University of Wuerzburg and Technische Universität Berlin in Germany. Its primary objectives are to demonstrate the feasibility of a fully wireless data bus for intra-satellite communication, provide a testbed for new technologies, and offer students hands-on experience in CubeSat design and operations. The spacecraft is a 3U CubeSat, incorporating a wireless data bus based on time-division multiple access (TDMA) and carrying a suite of payloads provided by TU Berlin. By eliminating traditional wiring, the wireless data bus aims to reduce mass, complexity, and integration challenges, making it particularly attractive for larger satellite platforms. Firstly, the paper provides an overview of the satellite’s design, including its avionics, wireless communication system, and payloads. Then, it presents the results of ongoing operations, with a particular emphasis on the performance and reliability of the wireless data bus. Following this, the challenges encountered during the mission are discussed. Additionally, insights gained from operating the satellite over unreliable telemetry and telecommand (TM/TC) links are presented, along with recommendations for improving spacecraft communication design. Finally, the paper explores the broader implications and open research questions for future missions employing wireless intra-satellite communication, highlighting both its advantages and limitations compared to traditional wired systems.