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Mission Analysis For Pico-Scale Satellite Based Dust Detection In Low Earth Orbits, Jacob Belli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A conceptual dust detection mission, KnightSat III, using pico-scale satellites is analyzed. The purpose of the proposed KnightSat III mission is to aid in the determination of the size, mass, distribution, and number of dust particles in low earth orbits through a low cost and flexible satellite or a formation of satellites equipped with a new dust detector. The analysis of a single satellite mission with an on-board dust detector is described; though this analysis can easily be extended to a formation of pico-scale satellites. Many design aspects of the mission are discussed, including orbit analysis, power management, attitude determination …