Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FAST-PSAT (FAST-PSAT. An innovative solution for building small satellites with a modularity design by using plastic polymers with fast prototyping 3D techniques: a “Lego® brick” concept)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2017-08-01 al 2018-01-31
The overall BRICSAT phase 1 objective was to define the IP, technical, and business strategy to bring this innovative solution on the market.
Part of the project activities was to delineate all the strategic partners and suppliers necessary to map the BRICSAT ecosystem and to define the product costs and future prices. Moreover, it was investigated the selling strategy options with the respective selling channels.
In order to consolidate the company’s image, PICOSATS decided to redefine its entire corporate image through the design of a new company logo and website, that will be both published in the next weeks.
On the IP side, the company deposited a patent application and is depositing the new logos and brands.
During the project period, PICOSATS defined the value proposition of BRICSAT, which is founded on the following pillars:
- Multidimensional modularity: possibility to customize the satellite’ shape, adding or subtracting the number of units
- Fast delivery time because of its standardized production and testing of single pieces
- Debris mitigation and mass reduction because of the plastic material
Additionally, together with partners, future clients and end-users, PICOSATS settled up the basis for the future Phase 2 application, also discussing it with potential investors that will ensure the company growth.
The company participated successfully at the Rome Space Week 2017 and got already accepted for a talk at the ESA 4S Symposium in May 2018. Moreover, the company is planning to participate at the IAC 2018, which will be in Bremen and the ESA Industry Space Days in Noordwijk (NL).
Optimistically, the intrinsic challenges of the space environment for the in-orbit assembly and the difficulties related to the integration of different subsystem can be overcome in case of the project success.
The modular BRICSAT design accompanied to a fast prototyping technique is highly beneficial in terms of costs and timescale especially during the development phase since customer-specific features and requirements in the mechanical design can be smoothly and quickly implemented and tested. Together with the main product (satellite frame manufacturing), a number of different services will be available, from the mechanical design up to custom systems manufacturing and tests. Moreover, the envisaged BRICSAT solution, thanks to the innovative structure, will substantially contribute to the mitigation of space debris, ensuring the complete destruction of the satellite during its re-entry phase, impacting positively to the related environmental/societal issue.