The 6U nanosatellite (measuring 20 cm × 10 cm × 34.05 cm) will transmit remotely sensed data from Hungary once in orbit, focusing on monitoring and forecasting drought-prone areas.
Funded by an EU grant, the project addresses the increasing need for digital agro-meteorological data driven by the rapid growth of precision agriculture in Hungary. The primary objective of WREN-1 is to forecast areas at risk of drought by providing frequently updated data, aiming to mitigate drought-related damages in the country.
WREN-1 will assess topsoil moisture content and monitor vegetation development using its onboard multispectral imaging system. The system will capture data with a ground resolution of 16 x 16 meters over nearly 10,000 square kilometers in a single pass. It will collect data in visible, near-infrared, and short-wave infrared wavelengths, providing detailed insights into vegetation growth. The satellite’s ability to photograph areas sideways in addition to directly below its path will enable more frequent imaging of specific areas.
After processing, the satellite images will provide high-resolution biophysical and biochemical data, which will be analyzed using automatic learning algorithms. WREN-1 is designed to orbit at an altitude between 515 and 520 km from the Earth’s surface, circling the Earth 15 times a day. The satellite, with an expected operational life of three years, will be operated by C3S Ltd. throughout its mission.
Upon reaching orbit, the satellite’s first task will be to establish communication with the ground station, followed by the activation of onboard subsystems. The subsystems will generate necessary power, control cameras, and establish required connections. The position stabilization subsystem will align the cameras, after which the first images will be captured and transmitted to the ground station for further analysis by the research team.
The WREN-1 CubeSat is scheduled for launch as part of Falcon 9’s Transporter-11 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday, August 16.
Consortium Members
Combut.: Established in 1985, Combit Ltd. has evolved from developing administrative systems to focusing on the development, enhancement, and operation of national-scale systems. Over the past two decades, the company has emphasized research and development activities, providing services in areas such as Oracle distribution, IT support, database administration, infrastructure construction, custom software development, and environmental monitoring. Combit’s major partners include Oracle, Delta Informatics, Raab Digital, Elte Faculty of Sciences, and the General Directorate of Water Management.
Széchenyi István University: The Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences at Széchenyi István University has been engaged in precision farming research for decades. The faculty manages approximately 500 hectares of arable land, which supports a wide range of research activities. The university has tools, such as an environmental monitoring system connected to a sensor network and a low-altitude multispectral remote sensing system (UAS), that can be utilized in the climate monitoring program.
Óbuda University: The University Research and Innovation Center, along with the Alba Regia Technical Faculty, Institute of Geoinformatics, are key participants from Óbuda University. The Research and Innovation Center, established in 2014, aims to carry out significant R&D&I activities at the international level and support quality research across the university. The Alba Regia Technical Faculty specializes in land surveying, geoinformatics, precision farming, remote sensing, geodesy, and land management.
C3S Ltd.: C3S Ltd. is a Hungarian space industry company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-reliability nanosatellites, particularly 3-16U platforms, and robust subsystems for scientific and industrial IoT constellations or Earth observation missions. The company’s Mission Operation Centre manages the entire lifecycle of missions, from launch to deorbiting. C3S has established itself among nanosatellite companies by integrating large satellite technologies into nanoscale designs, ensuring long life cycles and high reliability. Besides CubeSats, C3S designs electrical power systems and payload control systems for larger satellites. Its first mission, the 3U RadCube, was launched in 2021, followed by the 3U VIREO demonstration mission.
