Digital Commons Network^™

Automated System Identification For Satellite Attitude Control, Hannah Weiher, Daniel Hernadez, Mitchel Craun, Evan Sperber, Alexander Harpenau, Carlos Beltran, Richard Chiang, Evan Ulrich

Small Satellite Conference

A novel approach to on-obit system identification of satellite attitude control dynamics is presented. The approach is fully automated and will thus enable a variety of satellite applications, including high-performance proliferated constellations and modular payloads. The key enabling feature of the approach is the ability to estimate the uncertainty in the model and then perform additional data collections specifically to reduce the uncertainty. A prototype software implementation of the algorithm accurately estimated multiple structural modes in a CubeSat simulation and a CubeSat reaction wheel testbed in preparation for an on-orbit demonstration as part of the The Aerospace Corporation’s Slingshot 1 …

Hybrid Architecture Performance And Evaluation For Quantitative And Comparative Analysis, Matthew Stein, Pete De Graaf, Sean Kinser, John Muhonen, Robert Roller, David Voss, Amanda Salmoriaghi, Kyle Kemble

Small Satellite Conference

As space becomes an increasingly heterogeneous blend of multi-national commercial, civil, and government systems, additional capability can be leveraged by taking a hybrid approach to space-based services. The choice of service provider must be weighed against requirements such as timeliness, quality, and confidence in the results. We present a method to quantitatively evaluate the overall performance of any space architecture from traditional monolithic systems to fully hybrid systems-of-systems that blend contributions from multiple providers with distinct capabilities. The results can inform operational, planning, and acquisition decisions for both current and future space missions.

Scoring Trust Across Hybrid-Space: A Quantitative Framework Designed To Calculate Cybersecurity Ratings, Measures, And Metrics To Inform A Trust Score, Sean Kinser, Pete De Graaf, Matthew Stein, Frank Hughey, Rob Roller, David Voss, Amanda Salmoriaghi

Small Satellite Conference

Multi-national commercial space offerings continue to flourish in a domain once singularly dominated by governments. The same governments are now seeking methods to leverage commercial space in a bid to realize cost savings, leverage additional capacity, and augment missions. The outcome is a hybrid environment of commercial, civil, defense industrial base, and other government space vehicles, networks, ground segments, and data. Within this digitally reliant, hybrid-space environment, cybersecurity remains a key focal point of systems-of-systems design and implementation. Owners and stakeholders seek assurance in the command and control of their assets while customers desire a level of trust in the …

Using Shapley Values And Game Theory To Measure The Effectiveness Of Different Satellite Image Products In Hybrid Constellations, Sacha Nandlall, Koreen Millard

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Arica: Demonstration Of A Real-Time Gamma-Ray Bursts Alert System Using The Commercial Satellite Networks, Tomoya Watanabe, Takanori Sakamoto, Motoko Serino, Maomao Duan, Yuki Gouma, Yasuyo Hata, Hikaru Takahashi, Teruaki Enoto, Yuuki Wada, Yoichi Yatsu

Small Satellite Conference

We demonstrate the real-time alert system of the transient astronomical sources such as cosmic gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) using two commercial satellite network devices. One is the Iridium’s Short Burst Data (SBD) and the other is the Globalstar’s STX-3. Although these satellite communication devices have been used in the space environment, it still needs to verify whether the network can be used as a GRB alert system. We are currently developing a 1U CubeSat called AGU Remote Innovative CubeSat Alert system (ARICA) which contains both SBD and STX-3 to demonstrate the real-time GRB alert system. The ARICA has been selected as …

Precision Pointing Considerations For Long-Distance Free-Space Optical Communications, John Thomas Beasley, Thomas Benjamin Walsh, Eric Glenn Forstner

Small Satellite Conference

Present and future demand for global, low-latency telecommunications gives rise to several proposed constellations of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that feature high-bandwidth optical network links between spacecraft.

Free-space optical communication between satellites on separate orbital planes is a non-trivial endeavor. Over long distances, the budget for pointing error is very restricted. To illustrate the scales involved, this paper begins with a quantitative examination of angular inter-satellite vectors. This establishes context for the subsequent presentation of relevant design, integration, and on-orbit considerations that affect the ultimate performance of extremely precise pointing and tracking systems.

Coarse pointing precision plays a substantial …

Passive Attitude Control To Decrease Cubesatellite Complexity, Alexander Barovier, Devan Wagner, William Ward, Andrei R. Hanu, Eric Johnston, Soo Hyun Byun

Small Satellite Conference

Attitude control is often a requirement for the optimal functionality of satellite payloads. The McMaster Neutron Dosimetry and Exploration (NEUDOSE) mission aims to measure charged and neutral radiation in Low Earth Orbit. NEUDOSE can detect particles effectively from any direction due to its spherical symmetry, meaning unlike most satellite missions, it does not require attitude control to function. The attitude is still crucial for the mission in order to achieve optimal communication. The NEUDOSE satellite utilizes Ultra High Frequency and Very High Frequency dipole antennas for communication. If the satellite’s attitude lines up in a specific orientation, communication will be …

Factors Affecting The Synthesis Of Carbon Nanotube Forests By Chemical Vapor Deposition Methods, Jonh Mojica Decena

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

carbon nanotubes (CNTs) research has increase in recent years due to the possibility of its application in energy storage, energy conversion devices, and solid sorbent, but there is still a lot that is unknown when it comes to synthesizing CNT. In this paper we explore the relationship between the control growth parameters and the observables in the synthesis of CNT forest by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). We studied the effects of catalyst predeposited CVD and catalyst injection CVD in terms of quantity, carbon feedstock, flow rate, substrate, substrate position, as well as temperature setting to determine in a qualitatively manner …

Numerical Approximations Of Phase Field Equations With Physics Informed Neural Networks, Colby Wight

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Designing numerical algorithms for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) is one of the major research branches in applied and computational mathematics. Recently there has been some seminal work on solving PDEs using the deep neural networks. In particular, the Physics Informed Neural Network (PINN) has been shown to be effective in solving some classical partial differential equations. However, we find that this method is not sufficient in solving all types of equations and falls short in solving phase-field equations. In this thesis, we propose various techniques that add to the power of these networks. Mainly, we propose to embrace the …

Black-Scholes And Neural Networks, Gabriel Adams

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Neural networks have been proven to be universal approximators. We use neural networks to investigate the relationship between the quality of input data and the quality of outputted predictions from a neural network. We show that neural networks perform better on option pricing data with quality data and perform worse with lower quality data.

Power-Optimal Slew Maneuvers In Support Of Small Satellite Earth Imaging Missions, Skylar Cox, Tyson Smith, Tanner Lex Jones, Greg Droge, Amber Spackman Jones

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellite image collection missions typically rely on commercial, off-the-shelf products with control systems that use established methods for managing spacecraft attitude operations. Controllers in this marketplace simply move the spacecraft between commanded orientations without considering solar exposure. In particular, performing a specified slew based on traditional methods may keep solar arrays in shadow, draining the satellite’s power. To compensate, satellite operation teams often command the vehicle to enter a “sunbathe” state between collections. This additional level of complexity requires manual or rigidly prescribed specification of the frequency and duration of the “sunbathe” operation. However, there is opportunity for power …

Introduction Of Space Projects In Public Elementary School At Mogi Das Cruzes, Brazil, Sandro Shoiti Sato, Débora Soares Alves Teixeira, Vanessa Rodrigues Barreto Aguilar, Lidia Hissae Shibuya Sato

Small Satellite Conference

In 2014 efforts on teaching robotics for children at public elementary school started in the city of Mogi das Cruzes, São Paulo (Brasil). With this initiative, students of some elementary school were presented to technology and science and this work shows some of the results in two of these schools.

This work aims to show the positive impacts of involving children and teenagers in topics involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and having as a background the applicability of their projects in space projects.

Bowie-M: A Microwave Sounder For Next Generation Operational Weather, Sean Geiger, Torie Hadel, Todd Pett

Small Satellite Conference

The Ball Operational Weather Instrument Evolution-Microwave (BOWIE-M) is a compact cross-track scanning microwave radiometer combining design heritage from several radiometers as well as from IR&D efforts. Miniaturized RF electronics, a digital receiver and a compact antenna deliver operational performance, with reduced size, weight and power (SWaP) allowing ESPA-class spacecraft hosting.

The antenna’s single 23 cm diameter reflector accommodates all operational bands and necessary resolutions up to the priority 832 km, high inclination orbits. A low loss polarizer splits the incident signals to two wideband feed horns attached to low noise and SWaP RF front end electronics (RFE).

Atmospheric temperature and …

A Gan-Based Four-Switch Buck-Boost Converter Using Ripple Correlation Control For Maximum Power Point Tracking In Dynamic Deep Space Environments, Sadab Mahmud, Williams Collings, Roshan Kini, Ahmad Javaid, Raghav Khanna, Ansel Barchowsky, Jessica Loveland, Ahmadreza Amirahmadi, Chris Stell, Xavier Zapien

Small Satellite Conference

As the demand for high-performance power conversion in spacecraft continues to grow and spacecraft mass and volume budgets become increasingly tight, it is essential to design DC-DC converters with higher efficiency and power density. Although photovoltaic (PV) efficiency has increased over time, solar irradiance and temperatures can fluctuate dramatically in deep space. This causes significant variations in the maximum power point (MPP) of the PV array, which can decrease the overall system efficiency unless accounted for. Thus, it is imperative to track the MPP of the PV panels to maintain optimal efficiency. This paper presents the experimental development of a …

A Non-Hohmann Method For Orbital Element Database Pre-Processing, William O. S. Hudnut, Cameron P. Mehlman, Kurt S. Anderson

Small Satellite Conference

One major obstacle to successful orbital debris remediation is the determination of which pieces of debris are the most viable targets for capture and de-orbit. The viability of a target is determined by some combination of the debris’ risk factor (a combination of its size, composition, andthe orbit it occupies), the anticipated resource cost to find and capture the debris, and the underlying probability of successful intercept and capture of that target. The problem of selecting debris for capture by a multi-capture capable spacecraft is fundamentally a traveling salesman problem in which the traveler only has the resources to reach …

Diwata-2: Earth Observation Microsatellite With A Compact Bus System, Electronicallytunable Multi-Spectral Imager, And Amateur Radio Communications Capability, Ariston Gonzalez, John Leur Labrador, Delburg Mitchao, Marc Caesar Talampas, Joel Joseph Maricano Jr., Yuji Sakamoto

Small Satellite Conference

The microsatellite Diwata-2 was launched into the 600-km Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) last October 29, 2018. It has a low-power, low-complexity, compact bus structure, capable of Earth observation and remote sensing mission through a 5-meter resolution Near-Infrared (NIR) High Precision Telescope (HPT) and a 125-meter resolution Space-borne Multispectral Imager (SMI) with two Liquid Crystal Tunable Filters (LCTF). The LCTF operates as an electronic-based band reconfiguration filter allowing for more than 600-channels of wavelength variation. As a secondary mission, Diwata-2 has full-duplex FM voice communications capability via a non-board module utilizing the amateur radio band at a 5W power requirement from mobile …

Testing Of The Cubesat Laser Infrared Crosslink (Click-A) Payload, Ondrej Cierny, Paul Serra, William Kammerer, Peter Grenfell, Grant Gunnison, Joseph Kusters, Cadence Payne, Paula Do Vale Pereira, Kerri Cahoy, Tyler Ritz, John Conklin, David Mayer, Jan Stupl, John Hanson

Small Satellite Conference

The CubeSat Laser Infrared CrosslinK (CLICK-A) is a risk-reduction mission that will demonstrate a miniaturized optical transmitter capable of ≥10 Mbps optical downlinks from a 3U CubeSat to aportable 30 cm optical ground telescope. The payload is jointly developed by MIT and NASA ARC, and is on schedule for a 2020 bus integration and 2021 launch. The mission purpose is to reduce risk to its follow-up in 2022, called CLICK-B/C, that plans to demonstrate ≥20 Mbps intersatellite optical crosslinks and precision ranging between two 3U CubeSats. The 1.4U CLICK-A payload will fly on a Blue Canyon Technologies 3U bus inserted …

Accelerating Deep Learning Applications In Space, Martina Lofqvist, José Cano

Small Satellite Conference

Computing at the edge offers intriguing possibilities for the development of autonomy and artificial intelligence. The advancements in autonomous technologies and the resurgence of computer vision have led to a rise in demand for fast and reliable deep learning applications. In recent years, the industry has introduced devices with impressive processing power to perform various object detection tasks. However, with real-time detection, devices are constrained in memory, computational capacity, and power, which may compromise the overall performance. This could be solved either by optimizing the object detector or modifying the images. In this paper, we investigate the performance of CNN-based …

Antennas For Academic Cubesats: Vhf Thru S-Band, What, How And Why, Albert E. Lyerly, Peter W. Pachowicz

Small Satellite Conference

This work is dedicated to teams which want to build and fly their own antennas. Frequencies covered include VHF, UHF, L-band and S-band, while antenna types include monopole, dipole, J-pole, 5x5cm patch, and fractal patch. Antennas were simulated, built, attached to a satellite mockup, and tested in an anechoic chamber at the Northrop Grumman facilities. Simulation results and obtained test results are presented to support the teams in designing theirown antennas and to provide guidance and verification of realistic performance expectations.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Needs Of First-Year Small Grains Following Alfalfa, Collin Pound

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Wheat, barley, triticale, and oats, are small grains commonly grown as hay and grain following alfalfa in Utah and the Intermountain West, especially during drought years as they require less irrigation than corn. Several studies in many parts of the world have shown that first-year corn following alfalfa rarely needs nitrogen (N) fertilizer, yet relatively few have evaluated the N needs of small grains, especially small grains grown for hay. Objectives of this research were to determine whether N fertilizer is needed to economically optimize the yield and quality of first-year small grains following alfalfa, develop N guidelines, and whether …

Building An Academic Community Smallsat Program, Royce W. James, Richard W. Freeman, Lorraine A. Allen, Erik Tejero, Brian Kay

Small Satellite Conference

The US Coast Guard Academy (CGA), which educates future officers for service in the US Coast Guard, is developing a multifaceted program in SmallSats. The CGA space initiative includes undergraduate courses, such as a recently-created Remote Sensing course. It incorporates Virginia Space's ThinSat Educational Program, providing hands-on experience in designing, building, and testing miniature satellites through space mission engineering; this involves collaboration between Science and Engineering and is extended to local high schools through their participation in SmallSat projects with CGA faculty and students. An important addition to the CGA space initiative is an MC3 ground station atop the Science …

Usma Space Cadets: The First Class, Chalie L. Galliand, Alex L. Kedrowitsch, Diana C. Loucks

Small Satellite Conference

The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point has been developing leaders of character since 1802. This year’s graduating class, the Class of 2020, includes West Point’s first Space Science majors. The United States Army has officially had space professionals in its ranks since 1997 with the inception Space Operations Officer career field, also known as Functional Area 40 (FA40). It is only recently that the Army has shifted its focus to building the FA40 ranks from officer accessions programs (USMA, ROTC, and OCS). The establishment of the Space and Missile Defense Program under USMA’s Physics and Nuclear Engineering …

The First Solution To The Lost In Space Problem, Andrew Dahir, Daniel Kubitschek, Scott Palo

Small Satellite Conference

In December 2018 and January 2019, weeks after a successful fly-by of Mars and relay of the InSight landing, communication with the MarCO cubsats were lost. The causes of this loss of communications with the MarCO cubesats are unknown, but could be related to a power issue or onboard fault. This leaves the MarCO cubesats effectively, lost in space, having no way to autonomously recover time, position, or velocity, should the spacecraft recover from the anomaly.

This research will show a full solution to the lost in space orbit determination problem. This solution is achieved by using self-acquired optical observations …

Modeling And Simulation Of A Long-Wave Infrared Polarimetric Sensor For Space Object Detection And Characterization, Kevin Pohl, Jonathan Black, Jonathan Pitt, Edward Colbert

Small Satellite Conference

Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR, wavelength > 8 um) polarimetric measurements can be used to characterize space objects. A simulation of a sensor for collection of LWIR polarimetric signatures of space objects has been assembled using two software packages: MATLAB, and FRED. A statistical approach developed for unresolved visible light polarimetric observations of GEO satellites has been adapted for unresolved LWIR polarimetric observations of LEO satellites, showing both that well-known objects can be recognized and anomalies--for example, a major change in shape due to the presence in the scene of another object--can be detected. Though the satellites are effectively point sources, the aggregate …

Collaborative Research: Network Cluster: Dust In The Critical Zone From The Great Basin To The Rocky Mountains, Janice Brahney

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Af: Small: Algorithms For Geometric Shortest Paths And Related Problems, Haitao Wang

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Design, Monitoring And Management Approaches For The Root-Zone In Microgravity, Scott B. Jones

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

What Is The Storage Effect, Why Should It Occur In Cancers, And How Can It Inform Cancer Therapy?, Anna K. Miller, Joel S. Brown, David Basanta, Nancy Huntly

Ecology Center Publications

Intratumor heterogeneity is a feature of cancer that is associated with progression, treatment resistance, and recurrence. However, the mechanisms that allow diverse cancer cell lineages to coexist remain poorly understood. The storage effect is a coexistence mechanism that has been proposed to explain the diversity of a variety of ecological communities, including coral reef fish, plankton, and desert annual plants. Three ingredients are required for there to be a storage effect: (1) temporal variability in the environment, (2) buffered population growth, and (3) species-specific environmental responses. In this article, we argue that these conditions are observed in cancers and that …

Using Disaster Outcomes To Validate Components Of Social Vulnerability To Floods: Flood Deaths And Property Damage Across The Usa, Beth Tellman, Cody Schank, Bessie Schwarz, Peter D. Howe, Alex De Sherbinin

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Social vulnerability indicators seek to identify populations susceptible to hazards based on aggregated sociodemographic data. Vulnerability indices are rarely validated with disaster outcome data at broad spatial scales, making it difficult to develop effective national scale strategies to mitigate loss for vulnerable populations. This paper validates social vulnerability indicators using two flood outcomes: death and damage. Regression models identify sociodemographic factors associated with variation in outcomes from 11,629 non-coastal flood events in the USA (2008–2012), controlling for flood intensity using stream gauge data. We compare models with (i) socioeconomic variables, (ii) the composite social vulnerability index (SoVI), and (iii) flood …

Limited Importance Of Primary Production In The Deep Chlorophyll Layer For Macro-Zooplankton In An Oligotrophic Karst Lake: A Whole-Lake 15N Experiment, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, María Rosa Miracle, Antonio Camacho, Javier Armengol, Eduardo Vicente

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Deep-chlorophyll layers (DCL) in oligotrophic lakes contribute significantly to primary productivity, but the importance of this production for the rest of the food web and for other strata is unknown. In Laguna El Tejo, a sheltered 1.7-ha Spanish karst lake, chlorophyll levels were < 2 μg/L in the epilimnion but reached 10 μg/L in the metalimnion and upper hypolimnion where cyanobacterial picoplankton dominated. Particulate nitrogen levels were 2-14 times higher in the metalimnion than in the epilimnion and 42 % of the primary productivity occurred in the deeper strata where the DCL was located. To address the trophic importance of the high biomass and production in the deep chlorophyll layer, we injected ¹⁵NH₄⁺ and rhodamine into a 0.5-m strata (15-16 m) in the metalimnion of the lake. The ¹⁵NH₄⁺ taken up by the nitrogen-limited phytoplankton allowed us to measure the importance of biologically mediated transport whereas the rhodamine traced physical eddy diffusion. After 28 days 55 % of the ¹⁵N could be …