CHARMS NearSpace Payload

IrishSat’s First Payload Went to Space!

IrishSat is officially headed to orbit. In Spring 2026, aboard the SpaceX Transporter-16 Mission, IrishSat launched its first-ever satellite payload: CHARMS (Compact High-Accuracy, Reduced-power Magnetorquer Satellite). This milestone marks the first time an IrishSat-built system will operate in Low Earth Orbit, marking a major milestone that is the culmination of years of design, testing, and student-driven engineering.

What Is CHARMS?

CHARMS is a custom Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) module designed and built by the 2024–2025 IrishSat team as part of the NearSpace Education 0.5U ThinSat program. Its purpose is simple but critical: provide a low-power, high-accuracy method for controlling a satellite’s orientation using magnetorquers and Earth’s magnetic field. Small satellites typically suffer from uncontrolled rotations that disrupt imaging, science, and communications. CHARMS solves that problem through onboard sensing, processing, and detumbling algorithms.

The system integrates multiple subsystems—including IR cameras, IMUs, custom magnetorquers, power regulation, an MCU running real-time control software, and a full UART downlink—to deliver precise rotational data and stable detumble performance.

How the Payload Works

CHARMS combines visual horizon sensing, sensor fusion, and magnetic torque actuation to stabilize its host spacecraft.

IR cameras capture horizon imagery, allowing CHARMS to determine satellite attitude.
IMUs and magnetometers measure rotational rates and Earth’s magnetic field.
Magnetorquers interact with that field to generate corrective torque.
An onboard computer executes control algorithms and manages all payload data, including imagery, health & safety data, and experiment telemetry.

All data will downlink from LEO via the Iridium network, enabling real research contributions from Notre Dame students in space.

Testing, Validation, and Results

In the year before the launch, the team conducted extensive subsystem tests, including torque output characterization, Helmholtz coil magnetic field simulations, power regulation analysis, software integration, and full system synchronization. CHARMS demonstrated successful detumble performance through simulation and hardware-in-the-loop testing, validating its readiness for launch.

IrishSat also advanced internal manufacturing capabilities through in-house magnetorquer production and increased TVAC and environmental testing expertise.

Spring 2026 Launch

On March 30, 2026, CHARMS launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Rocket as part of its Transporter-16 Mission. As IrishSat entered the final stretch before the flight, all squads gathered to analyze the payload’s environmental testing, validate flight software, and prepare for the payload’s integration. The coming months will be filled with milestones as we anticipate communications from our first payload operate in orbit. Follow along for behind-the-scenes updates, design progress, and communication announcements on our Instagram @irish.sat.