TUGSAT-1 was the first Austrian satellite. The development of this satellite, which was used in optical astronomy, began in 2005. TUGSAT-1 was launched into space in 2013 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India. The satellite was developed by Graz University of Technology, the University of Vienna and Vienna University of Technology and was operated by Graz University of Technology.

The mission was originally designed to last two years, but the satellite remained successfully operational for much longer. For many years, it provided high-quality images and scientific data.

TUGSAT-1 was part of the BRITE constellation, which at the time was the only active space mission dedicated to the field of asteroseismology. At the end of 2025, the successful long-term scientific mission was concluded and the satellite was decommissioned.

• Programme: BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation
• Funding: Austrian Space Applications Programme (ASAP)

UniBRITE, a satellite used in optical astronomy, was launched together with its sister satellite TUGSAT-1 in 2013 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. The satellite was developed by Graz University of Technology, the University of Vienna and Vienna University of Technology and operated by the University of Vienna. Together with TUGSAT-1 and three additional nanosatellites, UniBRITE investigated the structure and evolution of the brightest stars in the sky as well as their interactions with their local environment. Like TUGSAT-1, UniBRITE was also decommissioned at the end of 2025.

• Programme: BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation
• Funding: Austrian Space Applications Programme (operations)

The Earth observation satellite PEGASUS was part of the QB50 satellite project and was launched into orbit from India in 2017. One of the main objectives of the QB50 project was to enable students worldwide to develop and operate their own satellite.

The Austrian contribution to this project was PEGASUS, which was developed by students from the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt, Vienna University of Technology and the University of Vienna, in cooperation with the Austrian Space Forum. After approximately six years in orbit, the satellite re-entered and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere at the beginning of 2024.

• Programme: QB50, a network of 36 nanosatellites built by university teams all over the world.
• Funding: European Union Horizon 2020, Austrian Space Applications Programme (pulsed plasma thruster).

The CubeSat OPS-SAT was launched into space on 18 December 2019 from the Kourou Spaceport in French Guiana aboard a Soyuz VS23 launch vehicle. OPS-SAT was the world's only flying laboratory of its kind. The objective of the mission was to test new technologies under real space conditions and to accelerate the validation of innovations for satellite operations. This enabled continuous improvements in mission control systems and the validation of new space technologies. OPS-SAT was developed with significant involvement from Graz University of Technology.

Programme and funding:
European Space Agency (General Support Technology Programme). 

PRETTY (Passive REflectometry and DosimetrY) is a 3U CubeSat carrying two scientific payloads. The first payload is a passive reflectometry system for the precise measurement of the Earth's surface. The concept and software were developed by Beyond Gravity, while the hardware was developed by the Institute of Communication Networks and Satellite Communications at Graz University of Technology.

This payload is used, among other things, to measure ice and sea levels as well as ocean currents. The second payload is a radiation detector developed by Seibersdorf Labor GmbH, which provides insights into solar activity and space weather. Graz University of Technology also provides the satellite platform, carried out the manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing activities and is responsible for satellite operations through its ground station at the Inffeldgasse campus.

Programme and funding:
European Space Agency
(General Support Technology Programme).

SpaceTeamSat1 is being built and operated by the TU Wien Space Team. The project enables students in Austria to test and run their own software on the satellite's educational payload.

The data transmitted by SpaceTeamSat1 can subsequently be analysed, interpreted and presented by the students. This provides them with insights into the entire process of data communication between a satellite and Earth

The launch of SpaceTeamSat1 is planned for 2026 aboard a rocket developed by Isar Aerospace, from the Norwegian spaceport Andøya Spaceport, making it a truly European project.

Programme and Funding: 
Among others "DLR Microlauncher and Payload Competition"

Oasis Alpha is Austria's first commercial satellite developed by the Vienna-based start-up Tumbleweed. The 3U CubeSat was launched into space in 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Oasis Alpha is a research and technology demonstration project in the field of microgravity research.

The mission aims to test the company's proprietary infrastructure for microgravity payloads, qualify payload containers and demonstrate orbital operations under real-world conditions.