NaviGate, an Italian space technology company spun off from Sapienza University of Rome, announced that it has successfully completed the in-orbit demonstration (IoD) of its NaviCode Caravel autonomous onboard precise orbit determination system.
The demonstration was performed aboard D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier, showcasing the system’s ability to determine the spacecraft’s orbit autonomously and with high precision without continuous ground‑station support.
NaviGate states that this successful IoD marks an important milestone for the development of autonomous navigation solutions for small satellite platforms.
The company views the achievement as a step toward more flexible and cost‑effective space missions, where satellites can independently ascertain their position and reduce reliance on external tracking infrastructure.