Digital Commons Network^™

Attitude Estimation Strategies For Cubespec Mission With A Multi-Star Tracker Adcs, Laila Kazemi, Tjorven Delabie, Mikel Samson, Rhimas Van De Putte, Brecht De Vuyst

Small Satellite Conference

Star trackers are the most accurate attitude estimation sensor. With current advancements in small satellite technologies, the pointing accuracy requirements are increasing for both commercial and scientific missions. CubeSpec is an in-orbit demonstration CubeSat mission to unravel the interior of massive stars using asteroseismology by high-cadance monitoring of the variations in spectral line profiles. This paper examines attitude estimation strategies for a multi-star tracker ADCS for CubeSpec mission. The new methodologies are tested with both simulation and hardware-in-the-loop night sky tests. The proposed solution, improves both availably and accuracy of the attitude estimates specially during the daylight section.

Proliferated Leo Orchestration And Data Assimilation With The Collective Space Tasking And Assimilation Reasoning System (Costars*), John Grimes, Ben Cooper, Lael Rudd, Daniel Wallach

Small Satellite Conference

New proliferated Low Earth Orbit (p-LEO) constellations are rapidly expanding in scale and sensitivity while also diversifying to include broader, multi-modal sensing capabilities. Payload orchestration, control, data analytics, and information dissemination on short, relevant timescales is key to fully enabling p-LEO constellations.

An Evaluation Of Cubesat Orbital Decay Utilizing Adcs, Sanjeev Mehta, Noé Lugaz, May-Win Thein

Small Satellite Conference

Since the early 2000s, the number of nanosatellites launched has shown an exponential trend. As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is getting crowded with nanosatellites and small satellites, FCC's new "five-year rule" regulation requires space operators to plan disposal through re-entry into Earth's atmosphere in no more than five years after the mission's end. One was to decelerate and deorbit a satellite is by increasing the satellite drag area using active attitude control, which can be used to tactically deorbit satellites to satisfy the "five-year rule".

The atmospheric density in the upper atmosphere (LEO region) widely varies as a function of …

Prompt Anomaly Detection For Small Satellites In Low-Earth Orbit Constellations: A Machine Learning Approach, Weicheng Qian, Joshua Dejong, Bryan Cooke

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations are shaping the future of communications and Earth observation. Despite having inherent advantages such as lower latency and faster deployments due to quicker and cheaper access to space, monitoring the large number of LEO satellites imposes a significant burden when considering the long-established methods of human-in-the-loop anomaly detection and recovery. Timely responses to anomalies reduce operational outages and help maximize the availability of the network. Traditional rule-based detection and supervised learning have inherent limitations in monitoring the large numbers of space assets projected to be launched over the next decades because more …

The Progress Ahead On The Pedago-Sat Academic Nanosatellite Training Platform Project, Aissa Boutte, El Yazid Belaidi

Small Satellite Conference

Since the beginning of 2022, development of the ”PEDAGO-SAT” platform has been underway, in line with a 36-months development plan that proposes a nano-satellite platform (Open -source) using an accessible products. The main objective is to design a training solution aligned with the Algerian Space Agency’s (ASAL) strategy to promote local aerospace activity and encourage national universities to play a role in advancing this sector. Once the nanosatellite is built and the tests on the various sub-systems and learning scenarios and procedure validated, the project’s outcome will be proposed as an educational support to space engineering graduates and training the …

Solving Long Lead Times And The High Cost Of Space Solar Panels With Upgraded Silicon Technology, S. Herasimenka, M. Reginevich, M. Rosenzweig, D. Aponte, S. Bowden, N. Honesty, M. Eyink, A. Fedoseyev

Small Satellite Conference

Solestial is developing 100% US made solar cells and flexible solar power modules with >18% BOL efficiency, over 10 years lifespan, < 3% annual degradation rate, < 400 g/m² specific mass, >10 MW manufacturing capacity and $20/W price by 2025. This new solar technology will be beneficial for the projects where high cost, long lead times and low manufacturing capacity of space-grade solar cells and panels are the major barriers for implementation. Here we describe the main features of our solar cells and flexible solar power modules.

Predicting The Properties Of Resident Space Objects In Leo Using Graph Neural Networks, Marta Guimarães, Cláudia Soares, Chiara Manfletti

Small Satellite Conference

In recent years, the number of resident space objects (RSOs) in low Earth orbit (LEO) has significantly increased. As a result, decision-making tasks and the overall understanding within the space domain have become more challenging. To make critical decisions such as collision avoidance manoeuvres, satellite owners and operators must be aware of their assets’ surroundings. Therefore, spacecraft operators must understand the characteristics of these RSOs and their spatial relationships. To address this issue, we propose a novel approach using graph neural networks (GNNs) to predict RSOs’ properties in LEO. This approach captures the complex interdependencies between RSOs by representing each …

Idea For Estimating Underground Water Levels At Peatlands In Sarobestsu, Hokkaido And Central Kalimantan, Indonesia By Using Multi-Spectral Sensors For Development Small Satellite Observation System, Shinsaku Nakamura, Tomomi Takeda, Kazuyo Hirose

Small Satellite Conference

The authors' team has a five-year-project to develop multi-spectral sensors which can be loaded on small satellites and drones for the Earth observation since April 2023. Those sensors would be able to cover wavelengths between near infrared (around 1 µm) and middle wave infrared (around 5 µm). The authors main target in the project is to establish use cases. Peatland is a unique target for the multi-spectral sensors. Drainage systems have serious effects on decreasing underground water levels at the tropical peatland forests. The decreasing underground water levels leads encouraging microbial degradative activities and forest fires, and emissions of greenhouse …

High Pressure Failure Of As5202 Port K-Port Seals, Ryan Plessinger, Stefan Roeseler, Tyler Noyes, Erin Volpe, Elain Motyka, Jonathan Kweder

Small Satellite Conference

This study explores the hydrostatic behavior and burst pressure behavior of k-port seals (MC252 style, AS5202 fitting), aiming to enhance the understanding of its structural integrity under various conditions. We investigate how factors such as seal size and installation torque influence the seals’ performance. The research involves hydrostatic pressure behavior and burst tests on solution and aged A-286 stainless steel PTFE-coated k-port seals. Additionally, finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to simulate and predict the seals’ performance under different installation forces/torques. All sizes reached an initial burst pressure well above documented guidance for use. It was also observed that the …

Narsha: Pioneering The Korean Microsatellite Constellation For Spaceborne Methane Monitoring, Geuk-Nam Kim, Jae-Pil Park, Jinyoung Shin, Taemin Kim, Namgyu Kim, Jooin Lee, Dohyun Kim, Hyun Min Kim, Alexandra Jercaianu, Jungkyu Lee, Kwangwon Lee, Seongwhan Lee, Jaemin Hong, Yu-Ri Lee, Sujong Jeong, Dong Young Chang, Hayoung Park, Young-Jun Choi

Small Satellite Conference

Methane (CH₄) is the second most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas contributing the global warming. Its global warming potential is estimated to be about 80 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (CO₂) over the last 20 years. To achieve a global net zero in carbon emissions, it is important to monitor and manage point sources of methane emissions worldwide. We introduce the first Korean spaceborne methane monitoring platform development project, termed NarSha. Collaborating with Nara Space Technology, the Climate Laboratory of Seoul National University, and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, the NarSha project aims …

Advancements In Microscopic Observation Technology For Space Bio-Experiments, Kohei Yoshioka, Wataru Ikeda, Yasuke Takeuchi, Soichiro Ueno

Small Satellite Conference

We are developing a unique one-chip microscopic observation device called Micro Imaging Device (MID) using semiconductor technology. MID does not require optical lenses, and directly detects the object of observation placed on a semiconductor sensor chip with densely arranged photodiodes. MID is a lightweight and compact digital control device, and has a high availability with lab automation for research that requires microscopic observation. This time, we have developed a Raspberry Pi-driven MID board specialized for use in lab automation. Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer used not only in electronics but also space missions, and the MID board we developed …

Controls Modeling Approach For Deployment Of A Large Thin Structures For Solar Sails, John Inness, Benjamin Diedrich, Brian Valdez, Daniel Tyler, Brian Sanders

Small Satellite Conference

One of the principal challenges with solar sails is to safely deploy the large sail structures while simultaneously maintaining attitude control. This challenge includes changing moments and products of inertia along with large sail shape uncertainties as it transitions from stowed to the fully deployed shape at the end of the deployment. With these changes, the control system must manage any potential momentum buildup and keep the pointing within mission requirements. The attitude determination and control system team for Solar Cruiser, a 1653 square meter solar sail project out of Marshall Space Flight Center, approached this problem by modelling the …

A Green Propulsion Dual Mode (Gpdm) In-Space Technology Demonstration On A 6u Cubesat, Nehemiah Joel Williams, Darren S. Wallace, Christopher G. Burnside, Austin Moore, Josh Leblanc, Beau C. Simpson, Harold S. Stephens

Small Satellite Conference

Over the past decade there has been an increase in the launch and operations of small spacecraft. Small spacecraft (defined as having a total vehicle mass of < 180 kg) provide an opportunity for low-cost, high impact technology demonstrations on a small scale. They also create opportunities for government, industry, and academic to engage, transfer knowledge, and extend partnerships with non-traditional partners. NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is leading a collaborative effort to demonstrate a dual-mode (chemical and electrospray) propulsion system using a common propellant system as a payload on a 6U CubeSat. The novel feature in the propulsion system is the interfacing of propulsion technologies requiring dramatically different operating conditions and support hardware. GPDM will use a low toxicity or "green" propellant known as Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT) to demonstrate using a chemical thruster for translation burns and electrospray propulsion for both attitude control and translational burns on the spacecraft. Specific mission activities could include demonstration of collision avoidance during frequent altitude adjustment maneuvers to validate thruster performance and managing extended duration thruster burns of at least 24 hours with limited vehicle contact times. This paper will summarize the ground testing, spacecraft development, mission objectives, and mission planning activities to achieve some of GPDM's technical objectives.

Solar Sail Propulsion - Ready For Smallsat Mission Implementation, Les Johnson, Leslie Mcnutt, Anan Takroori

Small Satellite Conference

Solar sails have the potential to provide high ΔV for many types of missions. Solar sails are large, mirror-like structures made of a lightweight material that reflects sunlight to propel the spacecraft. The continuous solar photon pressure provides thrust with no need for the heavy, expendable propellants used by conventional chemical and electric propulsion systems. The 1653 m2 NASA Solar Cruiser solar sail propulsion system, made from 2.5 micron-thick thin film, recently advanced to NASA's Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 through extensive testing (January 2024). The sailcraft platform has pointing control and attitude stability comparable to traditional platforms, supporting both …

Cold-Infusion Of Catalytic Materials Into 3-D Printed Fuels For In-Space Hybrid Propulsion Performance Enhancement, Ryan Thibaudeau, Stephen A. Whitmore

Small Satellite Conference

A recent study by the ESA Space Research and Technology Center has identified that "reducing toxicity of propellants" offers the highest potential for reducing commercial space operating costs. Developing a "green" alternative for hydrazine, the most commonly used space propellant, was highly recommended. Hybrid propulsion offers an emerging, low-cost solution, especially for SmallSat propulsion.

Historically, a primary drawback of hybrid systems was a lack of reliable multiple-use ignition methods. Recently, restartability issues were overcome by leveraging unique dielectric breakdown properties of 3-D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Additive printing significantly changes thermoelectric properties, and when ABS is subjected to an …

In-Orbit Demonstration Of A Steam-Powered Propulsion System, Marco Pavan, Ivan Timofeev, Vladimir Fedorov

Small Satellite Conference

The Steam Thruster One is a 2U electrothermal thruster able to provide a Total Impulse of 1200 Ns, with a thrust over 5 mN and requiring less than 20W of power input. The system uses just low pressure water as the main propellant, making it completely safe for integration and operations both on the ground and in space. The propulsion system converts low pressure liquid water into superheated steam, which is then ejected through a nozzle creating thrust. One Steam Thruster One propulsion system was launched in 2023 for a demonstrative/commercial mission, aboard a 100 kg satellite deployed in a …

Flight Results And Lessons Learned From The Starling Propulsion System, Terry Stevenson

Small Satellite Conference

NASA's Starling mission is a swarm of four 6U Cubesats flying in formation in Low Earth Orbit to demonstrate scalable swarm technologies, particularly related to crosslink networking. In order to maintain and modify their formation, the Starling spacecraft use a cold gas propulsion system called Hamlet, which provides each spacecraft with 30 m/s of delta-V, as well as attitude control during maneuvers. Hamlet is a fully self-contained system, incorporating propellant tanks, valves, nozzles, and control electronics. Most of the structure of Hamlet is a single piece of stereolithography-printed composite, which simplifies assembly and allows for unusual tank geometry that maximizes …

Signal Clipping To Reduce High-Sigma Peaks On Vibration Shaker Table, Brad Moelker

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Zero-Slosh Propellant Management For Precision Spacecraft Maneuvering, Charlie Garcia, Lars Osborne, Jonathon Pickrel, Eric Rusty' Ford

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Commerical Lunar Navigation & Communications Services Launching 2025!, Alex Da Silva Curiel

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Automated Design And Validation Of Acquisition Patterns For Optical Inter-Cubesat Links, René Rüddenklau, Jorge Rosano Nonay, Georg Schitter

Small Satellite Conference

Commercially available CubeSats with volumes of up to six units cannot achieve the precision required for an instantaneous establishment of a low-divergence optical inter-satellite link employing solely their attitude-determination and control system. Those residual attitude errors are present due to vibrations and limited control precision caused by the commonly used reaction wheel actuators. Thus, search patterns are used to scan the remaining field of uncertainty in order to achieve an optical inter-satellite. This work focuses on the development of an automated procedure to optimize the interaction between each of the individual search patterns. The performance of the two combined patterns …

Automation As A Mindset: An Approach To Streamlining Spacecraft Development And Operations, Annalisa Vilaysing, Terrance Yee, Elizabeth Nelson

Small Satellite Conference

With limited opportunities and funding for deep space missions, there is increased pressure to build better, faster, and cheaper space-borne payloads. Smaller teams and limited tools provide a unique challenge for such development. This paper reviews the approach the Micro-Mission Systems (MMS) group at Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) took in the development of the Mars Synchronous Orbiter (MSO) to streamline and automate various tasks so team members could focus their efforts on solving more difficult problems and minimize user induced errors.

The team utilized free tools to automate labor intensive and manual processes, run and monitor tests with little …

Qualification Of Novel High-Damping Solar Panel Module Based On Pogo-Pin Based Holding And Release Mechanism, Tae-Yong Park, Bong-Geon Chae, Hyun-Ung Oh

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Hawkeye 360'S Ci/Cd Approach To Automatic On-Orbit Firmware Updates, Eric Haengel, Lorin Metzger

Small Satellite Conference

HawkEye 360 is the world leader in RF signal monitoring and analytics from space. Its constellation of more than two dozen small satellites, each with a GPS time-synchronized on-board Software Defined Radio, enables it to record and monitor terrestrial RF signals emitted from anywhere on Earth, multiple times a day. The satellites fly in clusters of three each, in a tight orbital formation, enabling trilateration of emitters by observed time and frequency difference of arrival. RF signals come in such a wide variety in their applications and content, that from early on the spacecraft design was structured with flexibility in …

Building High-Throughput Satellite Data Architectures On The Cloud, Ben Bowen

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Approach To Automated Processes For Satellite Operations, Gianmarco Broilo, Jan-Christoph Scharringhausen

Small Satellite Conference

The European Data Relay System (EDRS) provides a high speed data link between ground stations and satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The communication between LEO satellites is achieved via optical inter-satellite links, the data is then relayed to ground using a Ka-Band antenna. During nominal operations, up to 200 links per day are foreseen to be commanded by the ground system at DLR's German Space Operations Center (GSOC). This large number of complex activities connected to each link is beyond the capabilities of a classical operational concept where only manual operations are performed by a single satellite operator. Therefore, …

Electroadhesive Attachment Technology For Improved Docking And Proximity Operations, Kalia Crowder, Simon Lee, David Smith, Victor Aguero

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

4-Point Spacecraft Dispensing Mechanisms For Rideshare And Constellations, Ulysses Marquez

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Using Star Trackers To Improve Space Situational Awareness, Carter Hyndman

Small Satellite Conference

The Kessler syndrome presents a scenario in which space debris produced from an orbital collision increases the risk of further collisions, resulting in an exponential growth of on-orbit debris. With the proliferation of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in the near-Earth space environment, continual development of ground-based and space-based detection, monitoring, and cataloguing systems is paramount in mitigating the risks associated with collisions. Currently, cataloguing RSOs primarily utilizes ground-based optical and radar systems, however, their performance is impacted and constrained by weather and atmospheric distortions.

As a result of the challenges and limitations of ground-based observations, there is increasing demand for …

Sifter: Star Identification From Transformer-Encoded Representations, Edward Zhang

Small Satellite Conference

We present SIFTER: Star Identification From Transformer-Encoded Representations, a novel neural network-based star identification algorithm for small satellites, trained on an original dataset of synthetic star scenes. SIFTER uses an encoder neural network model to construct sophisticated representations of star patterns by relating centroids of a given star scene. By avoiding the use of manual feature extraction and pattern construction algorithms, SIFTER is more robust to image noise and environmental disturbances than previously proposed classical and neural network-based algorithms. SIFTER generalizes well on real images taken from satellites and observatories, maintaining availability above 97% and error rate below 2% in …