Mission Analysis and Platform Design for the EarthNext CubeSat VLEO Mission

EarthNext is a CubeSat EO mission developed under the ALCOR program, an Italian Space Agency (ASI)-funded initiative for innovative SmallSat missions. The mission aims to demonstrate Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) operations and provide high-resolution multispectral imagery of selected Italian areas, generating value-added terrestrial applications. Additionally, it will validate a second-ary camera for cloud detection and contribute to synergistic datasets with existing EO missions. Led by Officina Stellare in collaboration with the University of Naples “Federico II”, the EarthNext spacecraft is a 16U CubeSat, with an 8U allocation for the multispectral payload and 8U for subsys-tems. Operating in a 302-km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), the mission capitalizes on VLEO bene-fits, including higher resolution, reduced collision risks, and rapid end-of-life disposal. However, key challenges include drag compensation via a Microwave Electrothermal Plasma Thruster, precise attitude control to counteract aerodynamic torques, material selection to withstand atomic oxygen erosion, and a compact Three Mirror Anastigmatic telescope design. AI-based onboard processing optimizes data filtering and real-time operations. Following the Preliminary Design Review, phases C/D/E1 have been approved. This paper presents EarthNext’s mission design, analyzing operational concepts and recent platform advancements toward mission objectives.