A Flexible and Scalable 12U Satellite System: Lumelite-4

Lumelite-4 is a 12U satellite developed by the Satellite Technology and Research (STAR) Centre, National University of Singapore (NUS). Its primary mission is to demonstrate the VHF data exchange system (VDES) with the payload developed by the Institute for Infocomm Research (I2R), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The Lumelite-4 is developed based on rapid design and manufacturing methodology with the satellite bus configuration shared across Lumelite-1 to Lumelite-4. The flight heritage of a scalable patented bus electronic system is demonstrated via the Lumelite-4 mission. The bus’s electronic system can easily scale up to support any satellite up to 70 kg with 150W of peak power payload operation. In addition, the experience derived from Lumelite-4 allows us to improve the flight software for Lumelite-1 to Lumelite-3 satellites.\nLumelite-4 was launched on 22nd April 2023 by PSLV-C55. The ground contact was successfully established during the first pass over Singapore. During the in-orbit test period, the magnetometer has been calibrated and the pointing performance has been evaluated. Lumelite-4’s payload experiments have also been completed. Furthermore, the mission control software was further enhanced to fully support unmanned operations, and optimize operational efficiency. Presently, the Lumelite-4 remains fully operational though the project has been successfully closed.