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\t\t\t\t\t\t02\/10\/2026<\/span> The latest technology demonstration CubeSat from ESA\u2019s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP) and developed with Danish company GOMSpace, launched yesterday evening, 1 October 2026, onboard SpaceX\u2019s Falcon 9 Transporter-18 mission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n GOMX-5 is an In-Orbit Demonstration mission,\u00a0which aims to demonstrate several new technologies in space. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n As space becomes increasingly crowded, reducing the risk of collisions is critical to preventing the creation of new space debris. A key objective for the mission is commissioning\u202fits new propulsion system within 48 hours of launch to be able to undertake collision avoidance manoeuvres, as required by ESA\u2019s new space debris mitigation policy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n To accomplish this, GOMSpace engineers have developed a largely automated platform commissioning procedure, aiming to reduce the time required between deployment of the satellite and the commissioning of the critical subsystems of the satellite. The operations team will be eagerly awaiting confirmation that this procedure succeeded and that the spacecraft is in good health, so that they can proceed with the final checks that will enable them to be ready to fire the electrical propulsion on-board GOMX-5 in case of need.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe operations team will have a challenging Launch and Early Operations phase, checking that these early automated operations worked successfully and that the platform is commissioned as quickly as possible. This requires a lot of focus and preparation.\u201d explains David Palma, the ESA Technical Officer in charge of the mission. \u201cThen over the coming weeks we\u2019ll learn how these new technologies, such as the new antennas, radios and on-board computers, are performing and hopefully in a few months we can conclude the technology demonstration mission with success.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n As a technology demonstration mission, GOMX-5 has several new technologies and payloads on board which have never flown in space before.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Beyond commissioning the propulsion system, the mission will also demonstrate a tracking solar panel, as used onboard Hera\u2019s Juventas CubeSat, and\u202fa maritime awareness payload.\u00a0<\/p>\n Monitoring activity at sea is essential for maritime security, particularly in remote regions where boats may not be visible to conventional tracking systems. GOMX-5 will demonstrate a reference maritime domain awareness payload with several antennas and radios covering a broadband frequency spectrum.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Once the payloads are successfully demonstrated, the ESA GSTP activity is concluded, and the operations are fully handed over to GOMSpace for the remainder of the mission. \u00a0<\/p>\n GOMX-5 has been developed as part of GSTP\u2019s Element 3, Fly\u202fand is the latest in a\u202fseries\u202fof\u202ftechnology demonstration\u202fGOMX CubeSats developed\u202fwith GOMSpace\u202funder GSTP,\u202fincluding\u202fGOMX-4B\u202fand\u202fGOMX-3\u202f\u2013ESA\u2019s very first technology CubeSat to fly.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n Transporter 18 is a dedicated smallsat rideshare mission and GOMX-5 will share the journey with 129 other payloads, including other CubeSats. The launch window opened at 20:17 CEST and the mission launched shortly after.. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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