GOMX-5 CubeSat integrated for October 2026 launch to test iodine propulsion and maritime tracking
ESA-supported GOMX-5 CubeSat completed qualification testing and is integrated into its deployer for an October 2026 launch to test iodine propulsion, collision avoidance and maritime awareness.
The story in focus
The ESA-supported GOMX-5 CubeSat has completed qualification testing and final review and is now integrated into its deployer, ready for launch in October 2026. It will validate onboard iodine electric propulsion for collision avoidance, a deployable tracking solar panel and a maritime awareness payload.
- GOMX-5 completed qualification testing and final review, and is integrated into its deployer for an October 2026 launch.
- The mission aims to demonstrate commissioning of an onboard iodine electric propulsion system within 48 hours after launch.
- The CubeSat carries a deployable solar panel with a drive assembly and a maritime awareness payload covering VHF to L-band.
Integration and launch readiness
The GOMX-5 CubeSat has completed qualification testing and final review, and is now integrated into its deployer, according to ESA. The eight-unit CubeSat, developed by GomSpace with ESA support, is ready for launch in October 2026. It is the latest in-orbit demonstration mission under ESA’s General Support Technology Programme and will validate several ESA-supported technologies and operational concepts, including enhanced maritime awareness detection and automated collision avoidance.
Iodine propulsion and zero-debris aims
A key objective is to demonstrate that commissioning of the onboard iodine electric propulsion subsystem can be completed within 48 hours after launch, reducing the time before a CubeSat can actively manage its orbit. The mission will then showcase collision avoidance manoeuvres as required by ESA’s new space debris mitigation standard. ESA lead engineer David Palma said the traditional process has been largely manual and could take at least a week, and the goal is to automate it. ESA describes GOMX-5 as the first ESA CubeSat in-orbit demonstration mission to implement the new zero space debris approach.
Solar panel and maritime payload
Shortly after launch, the mission will deploy a tracking solar panel with a solar array drive assembly that enables sunlight tracking and maximises power generation. The same design is used by the Juventas CubeSat on ESA’s Hera mission, whose engineers will watch whether the panel can track accurately before their own array deploys in early 2027. GOMX-5 also carries a maritime awareness payload with multiple antennas covering VHF to L-band to detect signals from ships and offshore platforms. Palma said the mission is not aiming to deliver operational services with one satellite but to show what a larger constellation based on the platform could achieve.
What will GOMX-5 demonstrate after launch?
GOMX-5 will validate its integrated platform, including commissioning an iodine electric propulsion system within 48 hours for collision avoidance, a deployable tracking solar panel and a maritime awareness payload covering VHF to L-band.
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