Disconnected analyses
Orbit, communications, radiation, lifetime, and data budgets are often handled in separate tools.
SatZone
Mission analysis software for faster small satellite design decisions
SatZone helps CubeSat and SmallSat teams model mission scenarios, evaluate orbit-dependent constraints, and compare communications, power, radiation, and lifetime trade-offs in one workflow.
Built by space engineers with ESA-related project experience and practical mission analysis background.
The Challenges
Early mission analysis is fragmented across tools, scripts, and spreadsheets
Small satellite teams need to make architecture decisions before every detail is finalized. Orbit selection affects communication windows, power generation, radiation exposure, orbital lifetime, and mission feasibility.
These analyses are often performed in separate spreadsheets, scripts, and specialist tools. That makes iteration slow, assumptions hard to track, and scenario comparison difficult.
SatZone helps teams bring these early mission analyses into one structured workflow.
Slow iteration
Changing one assumption can require manual updates across multiple calculations.
Difficult scenario comparison
Teams need to compare mission options clearly before design decisions become locked.
What SatZone does
One workspace for mission-level trade-off analysis
SatZone supports early mission design by helping teams define mission scenarios, run engineering analyses, and compare results across different assumptions. It is designed for fast iteration during concept development, feasibility studies, proposals, and early design phases.
Model mission scenarios
Define orbit inputs, mission duration, spacecraft assumptions, ground stations, and analysis settings.
Run connected analyses
Evaluate orbit propagation, RF/data link performance, radiation exposure, and other mission constraints.
Compare design options
Understand how changes in orbit, communication strategy, or mission assumptions affect feasibility and margins.
Workflow
From mission concept to scenario comparison
01
Define the mission concept
Set mission objectives, spacecraft assumptions, payload needs, and the questions the analysis must answer.
02
Add orbit data
Use TLE or Keplerian elements to define candidate mission scenarios and propagation settings.
03
Configure spacecraft and links
Add spacecraft, ground station, communication, and operational assumptions.
04
Run connected analyses
Evaluate orbit, link budget, radiation, power-related constraints, and other mission feasibility drivers.
05
Compare scenarios and sensitivities
See how orbit choice, communication strategy, and mission assumptions affect margins and feasibility.
06
Export decision support
Prepare results for proposals, reviews, internal trade studies, and technical discussions.
Capabilities
Mission analysis capabilities grouped around real decisions
Orbit and scenario modelling
Define and evaluate mission scenarios using orbit inputs and configurable simulation settings.
- TLE-based orbit propagation
- Keplerian orbit definition
- Simulation time range and resolution settings
- Scenario setup and comparison
- Ground station visibility support
Communications and data link
Analyze communication feasibility, link margins, data volume, and downlink opportunities.
- RF link budget analysis
- Data budget estimation
- Ground station access windows
- UHF, S-band, and X-band support
- Multiple coding schemes
- Communication margin comparison
Power and mission constraints
Connect orbit-dependent conditions with spacecraft-level assumptions for early feasibility assessment.
- Power budget support
- Orbit-dependent power generation assumptions
- Operational mode assumptions
- Mission constraint comparison
- Early feasibility assessment
Radiation environment assessment
Estimate orbit-specific radiation exposure and support early radiation-related mission assessment.
- Orbit-specific radiation exposure estimation
- Trapped particle model selection
- Electron and proton TID support
- Volume-of-interest based assessment
- Orbit and geometry sensitivity analysis
Mission feasibility outputs
Generate outputs that help teams compare scenarios and communicate engineering assumptions.
- Mission scenario summaries
- Link margin tables
- Data budget outputs
- Orbit analysis results
- Radiation exposure summaries
- Plots and exportable results
Use cases
For teams making early mission architecture decisions
CubeSat and SmallSat teams
Compare mission assumptions early, while orbit, payload, communications, and lifetime choices are still flexible.
Mission designers and systems engineers
Use a shared workflow to communicate feasibility drivers, margins, and scenario assumptions.
NewSpace companies
Move faster through concept studies, proposal preparation, and early customer or partner discussions.
Universities and research groups
Structure mission analysis work for student teams, research missions, and externally reviewed activities.
Startup package
Special package for startups and ESA-backed activities
We offer a focused mission-analysis package for teams that need SatZone access, onboarding, and direct support during a defined activity.
- Full SatZone access for one supported activity
- Orbit propagation, link budget, and radiation modules
- Onboarding for the mission analysis workflow
- Direct technical support during the activity
- Three-month license
- Outputs structured to support ECSS-oriented documentation and review discussions
Technical credibility
Built by engineers working on real mission analysis problems
SatZone is shaped by ESA-related activities, satellite mission analysis work, RF and link budget studies, and radiation assessment workflows.
The emphasis is on transparent assumptions, fast iteration, and outputs that help teams communicate trade-offs during early spacecraft design.
Contact
Ready to compare mission scenarios with SatZone?
Tell us about your mission concept, orbit assumptions, and analysis needs. We can show how SatZone supports scenario comparison and early mission feasibility work.
info@ephemersys.comOnline scheduling
Book a meeting with Ephemersys.
Choose an available time for a SatZone, Sector Tool, or mission analysis discussion.