Stellar Exploration: Based in the EU with a parent company in the USA
We are a small aerospace company spanning both the EU (Prague, CZ) and USA. We have a decades long history in executing ambitious while inexpensive space projects on two continents.
Energy Management
The power supply and management on your spacecraft is safely handled by our team.
Spacecraft Propulsion
We deliver the best quality, performance and reliability in bipropellant and monopropellant propulsion systems for demanding missions.
We Are Hiring
We always need creative & versatile engineers for our office in Prague
Feel free to send your CV to hr@stellar-exploration.eu
Mission Design & Execution
We have experience in designing and managing missions from idea to spaceflight
Hiring / Koho hledáme
Looking for creative passionate engineers for our development lab in Prague.
Hledáme české ruce a technické mozky do pobočky americké kosmické firmy Stellar Exploration Inc.
Junior Space Engineer(s)
Engineers of various specialties are wanted for an EU branch of a small U.S. aerospace company which is being established in Prague.
We are looking for enthusiastic creative people with these engineering skills:
electronics
mechanical
RF analog engineering
software
3D design and printing
... or any other art which can help our hardware go to space.
The best candidates will be versatile — With deep excellence at their speciality but also flexible with broad interdisciplinary understanding of multiple technologies. After all, every satellite is inherently a complex assembly of electronics, mechanisms, software operating in challenging physical environment. It is also essential that candidates are comfortable moving between conceptual design, detailed engineering, hardware fabrication and system testing of actual spacefaring components ("český kutil” is the perfect model). In our view, diversity of engineering experience is essential to develop capable and well-rounded engineering talent.
The job: You may work remotely with the US team or locally on EU projects. You should expect to be able to travel on business and occasionally spend a few weeks with the US team in California.
The process:
After initial shortlisting you will go through several interviews (mostly video) including a psychological evaluation which will assess your abilities and your match with current project needs.
Remote work is a realistic option.
Energy Management
Microsatellite Battery with High Power Capability: Affordable Solution with Proven Reliability
This combination of performance and reliability at affordable price is achieved by deliberate adoption of selected industrial state-of-the-art power technologies (to support specific missions requirements) AND rigorous qualification test program
Reliable satellite power systems require robust fault detection and reset/recovery architecture, assuring satellite survival even in presence of multiple faults and unexpected contingencies. This implementation must be validated through extensive testing
COTS li-ion cells provide high peak power capability (~500 W/kg), suitable for mission like SAR
Multi-year mission lifetime can be achieved with careful control of cells charge and discharge. Integrated hardware provide control of charging, discharging, cell balancing and power distribution
Over 20 units launched (more delivered, now in the system integration pipeline)
Propulsion for Small Satellites
Affordable, practical, near-term solution for agile space missions requiring high-thrust maneuvers
For missions with demanding propulsion requirements (>1 km/sec)
Pump-fed hypergolic bipropellant (hydrazine and NTO)
Proven propellants with predictable properties, assured long-life reliability, and well-understood handling requirements
Isp >285 sec
Propellant mass fraction ~70% (configuration dependent)
Propellant pump is enabling technology for launch safety approval (no stored gas) and system performance (efficient lightweight tanks)
Cubesat/ESPA-compatible scalable tanks maximize system ∆V (efficient volume utilization is essential for secondary launches)
Single or multiple thruster configurations for 3-axis control
Mission Design & Execution
Payload-centric design is the core of our systems engineering process, resulting in mission-specific system configuration relying on standard components
Satellite functionality is driven by payload requirements
Payload 10–100 W (OAP), with peak power ~5 kW
Attitude control < arc min (mission dependent)
Data processing uses embedded Linux and modern software tools, development environment, and libraries
Telecommunications interface with major existing ground networks using COTS SDR hardware/software
System configuration matched to Cubesat/ESPA standards to provide frequent and flexible space launch access
Rapid delivery often matters more than low-cost. Our goal is repeatable system delivery in one year
Eliminate unnecessary constraints from rigid bus classes (Standard buses commonly fail to deliver cost savings)
Suffering from accelerating components obsolescence
Inability to incorporate rapid improvements & lessons
Mismatch between mission requirements & capability
Stellar core capabilities
Payload-driven systems engineering process
Established processes for development and I&T
Proven suppliers of standard components (focus on items with steep learning curve)
Experience-based mission assurance processes (careful balance between heritage vs ad hoc approach)
Mission success is often determined by project intangibles — ‘under the hood’ matters more than specific satellite configuration
Once committed, then streamlined set of processes is strictly enforced