The satellites of the PIAST (Polish ImAging SaTellites) constellation have been in space for over two weeks.
As the provider of the satellite platform for this constellation, we present a series of plots illustrating the operation of key subsystems of the HyperSat satellite platform, developed by Creotech Instruments and used within the PIAST mission.

We begin with a plot showing the satellite’s rotational speed during an Earth observation maneuver.

Before the maneuver starts, the satellite is oriented toward the Sun to maximize battery charging using photovoltaic panels.
At approximately 17:06, the satellite receives a command to rotate the telescope toward the Earth (the first increase on the plot corresponds to this motion).

Next, the telescope begins tracking a selected target on the Earth’s surface.
At around 17:12, the satellite passes over the target, rotating in such a way that the target remains within the telescope’s field of view.
At approximately 17:18, the satellite completes target tracking and reorients itself to maximize battery charging from the photovoltaic panels (the final characteristic increase on the plot corresponds to this motion).

The presented results confirm the correct operation of the HyperSat platform’s subsystems, which are currently undergoing successive stages of in-orbit verification. Further analyses will address additional platform components and their performance under operational conditions.

The PIAST project is led by the Military University of Technology in Warsaw. In addition to Creotech Instruments, Scanway and the Space Research Centre of the Polish Academy of Sciences are involved in the project, together with the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation and PCO S.A.

The entire undertaking is co-financed by the National Centre for Research and Development.

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