The ONSATLab has multiple functions and purposes, but the main one is to coordinate the cubesat segment at ONERA.
The numerous ongoing missions developed at ONERA in several scientific departments require a transverse approach in order to centralize and share the scattered skills and knowledge acquired. It also intends to build a foundation of resources, standards, and best practices to ease engineers’ work and lower risks. A team of Cubesat and payload experts is ready to help on future projects and a documents database is available internally.
Some equipment, such as servers, test benches or computers can be used independently of the Cubesat specific mission. Thus, the design of new ground-based facilities is oriented toward a large compatibility of Cubesat missions. This is especially true for the Mission Operation Center (MOC) and the Science Operation Center (SOC), designed to operate all missions and process the received data.
Finally, the administrative work inherent in any space project is crucial and ONSATLab intends to help our missions as well as our partners in following the best practices.
This entity is also a driving force in the creation of partnership in relation to Cubesat and payload development and the best point of contact to start a collaboration with ONERA.