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QB50 space mission will provide the biggest CubeSat network in orbit. A constellation of 50 CubeSats in a ‘string-of-pearls’ configuration will be launched together in January 2016 by a single rocket, into a circular orbit at 380 km altitude. Due to the atmospheric drag the orbit will decay and progressively lower layers of the atmosphere will be explored. Main goals are exploration of the lower thermosphere with multi-point measurements, re-entry research and in-orbit science and technology demonstration. In this analysis of communication functions the ground segment is analyzed, with a global overview of different architectures, the main elements of a ground station, mission and control centres, and the link between them.