Satellite System Integration

The Making of a Satellite 

A satellite is a sophisticated system that combines advanced technology and precise engineering. It is developed through three phases: design, manufacturing, and operation, all of which require close collaboration across various technical fields.

Design Phase

The design phase is the first stage in the making of a satellite, and it involves three essential steps. The first step is Mission Definition Review (MDR), which defines the satellite’s objectives and technical requirements. The second step is the Preliminary Design Review (PDR), in which the engineering team develops the satellite's basic structure and subsystems, such as attitude control and power systems, based on the mission definition. The team then conducts an initial technical validation.  The final step is the Critical Design Review (CDR), during which every aspect of the design is carefully reviewed and validated to ensure the satellite's functionality, laying the groundwork for the subsequent manufacturing process.

System Integration

In the design phase, System integration is an essential and pivotal technology. Since satellites are composed of multiple subsystems, each serving different functions, the goal of system integration is to ensure that these subsystems work cohesively and efficiently without any conflict to fulfill the mission. In other words, the success of a satellite’s operation ultimately depends on system integration. TASC has extensive expertise in this area and utilizes international satellite resources to provide comprehensive satellite design consulting services.

Manufacturing Phase

Following the completion of the satellite design, the project transitions to the manufacturing phase—where the conceptual design is transformed into a tangible product. All components and subsystems undergo precise manufacturing and testing before entering the Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) stage. During this stage, engineers assemble the subsystems into a complete satellite and perform a series of stringent tests, such as vibration and thermal vacuum testing, to replicate space conditions and ensure the satellite's durability throughout launch and operation.

Operation Phase

The final phase is the operation stage. After being launched into space and reaching its designated orbit, the satellite undergoes In-Orbit Verification, during which the engineering team thoroughly checks key functionalities, such as the deployment of solar panels, the stability of communication signals, and the proper operation of each subsystem as designed. Once in-orbit verification is completed, the satellite officially begins its routine operations, with ground stations managing and monitoring its activities to achieve its mission goals.

From the initial design to manufacturing and final operation, the making of each satellite reflects the dedication and collaborative effort of a team, symbolizing a journey of overcoming complex technical challenges.

What is Satellite System Integration?

Integrated Product Team

Satellite system integration is a highly cross-functional development process. TASC adopts the Integrated Product Team (IPT) model to form our satellite development team, ensuring seamless cooperation among experts from various fields, which enhances efficiency, reduces development risks, and further improves both development quality and speed. 

The IPT team for satellite system integration is structured under the project management framework, with distinct departments for the space segment and ground segment. The space segment department further organizes task-oriented teams for system engineering, satellite bus, communication payload, satellite AIT, and in-orbit verification operations—five teams in total. The IPT team framework encompasses critical phases throughout the satellite product lifecycle, such as design, assembly, integration, testing, and in-orbit operation, ensuring an optimized satellite system solution with mission priorities in mind.