New Testing Center for Small Satellites Opens at MIPT

The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) has initiated the first phase of a testing center dedicated to small satellites. The center’s equipment will facilitate assessments of how well spacecraft endure external mechanical impacts and the conditions of space.

The testing benches at the new MIPT center will be utilized to ensure the reliability of CubeSat-type devices ranging from 1 to 16 U, along with their individual components.

«Currently, our colleagues from the faculty of applied physics at MIPT are developing advanced onboard equipment and propulsion systems for nanosatellites. A testing center is essential for validating this technology on Earth to ensure its reliability and functionality in orbit,» explained Vasily Voropaev, a senior engineer at the MIPT Laboratory of Spacecraft Onboard Systems.

The center’s equipment features a vibration stand that replicates the loads experienced during the launch of the devices into orbit. The testing methodologies allow for the simulation of the satellite deployment process using various Russian launch vehicles, such as Soyuz and Rokot.

In the second quarter of 2025, the launch of a thermal vacuum chamber that mimics space conditions and a semi-natural modeling stand for testing the orientation and navigation systems of small satellites is planned. This will enable the simulation of flight conditions on both the illuminated and shadowed sides of the orbit, creating test environments that closely resemble actual space conditions.