Rapid Cubes GmbH

Since conglomerates primarily dominate the aerospace industry, it is natural to wonder—what can a young and innovative company bring to the table?

Rapid Cubes GmbH has responded to this query with innovative, sustainable and advanced satellite technology. Established as a spin-off from the Chair of Space Technology at Technical University in Berlin, it focuses on satellite constellations, small satellites, environmental protection and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

The firm’s success is attributed to its founders—Dr Zizung Yoon and Walter Frese—extensive experience and expertise in satellite technology. They were an integral part of the team that developed and deployed multiple satellite initiatives at the Technical University of Berlin. They have successfully launched five satellites, four of which formed a constellation that showcased their exceptional program management capabilities while handling complex aerospace missions.

Although Rapid Cubes is a relatively young company, it has worked on multiple satellite missions, with more on the horizon. The firm’s collaboration with partners has helped it secure launch contracts for numerous missions.

Rapid Cubes' diverse satellite portfolio includes the Rapid Cube 10 satellite bus, which weighs 10 kilograms. This satellite bus is exclusively licensed by the Technical University in Berlin and is set to launch on the Ariane6, a renowned European launcher, in the coming year.

Rapid Cubes also develops satellites in the 20- to 25-kilogram range. This project includes a mission that involves a 12-unit CubeSat, marking a milestone in the firm’s commitment to advancing satellite technology. The 12- and 16-unit CubeSats are built based on the Rapid Cube 20 satellite bus—a versatile platform equipped with advanced three-axis attitude stabilisation with various sensors, including magnetic field sensors and star trackers.

“Our primary focus is on rapid satellite development and manufacturing,” says Dr Yoon. The firm attempts to optimise manufacturing timelines, highlighting the need for consistent satellite availability, especially for constellations. From a technological aspect, its satellites are purposefully designed for rapid production.

While Rapid Cubes' journey has been impressive, its commitment to environmental preservation and wildlife monitoring truly sets it apart. “Collaborating with biologists and IoT protocol developers in Germany, we are designing satellite constellations with IoT transceiver functionality for monitoring the environment, particularly wildlife,” adds Frese, CEO of Rapid Cubes. One of its pioneering initiatives involves integrating AI technology into small satellite onboard computers. This endeavour is set to launch in 2025 and can enhance current monitoring capabilities.

Rapid Cubes is also offering satellite solutions with reliable flight-proven inter-satellite link technology, which enables near-real-time data transmission for IoT applications. These links span from low Earth orbit (LEO) to LEO and LEO to geostationary Earth orbit (GEO), providing a competitive edge that aligns seamlessly with its environmental preservation and wildlife conservation mission.

Rapid Cubes continues to reach for the stars while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of technology in pursuit of a sustainable and connected future.