Digital Commons Network^™

Statistical Anomaly Analysis Of Small Satellite Missions Focusing On Payloads, Alexander Schmidt, Nico Gerster, Johannes Bachmann, Alexander Groß, Roger Förstner

Small Satellite Conference

With the rapid development of space technology, the number of new satellites has expanded rapidly in recent years, and the applications of satellites have gradually expanded into other industries and deeper into academia. While the small satellite category is experiencing significant growth, the behavior of small satellites still requires more in-depth study. A growing number of academic and industrial customers are looking to use satellites to achieve their scientific or business goals without having to develop a full satellite mission, including a satellite platform. Hosting payloads on other satellites or procuring pre-qualified platforms enables new mission flexibility while minimizing the …

Development Of 2u Cubesat "Yotsuba-Kulover" For Geomagnetic Field Measurement By Undergraduate Student Satellite Project, Hirokazu Masui, Kitamura Kentaro, Meng Cho, Shuji Abe, Teiji Uozumi, Akimasa Yoshikawa

Small Satellite Conference

Kyushu Institute of Technology(Kyutech) have developing small satellites since 2006. Three satellites, AOBA-Velox III, FUTABA and MITSUBA(Unfortunately, lost due to rocket launch failure) have been developed in a student satellite project. This satellite project is promoted by under graduate students. The students conduct all of satellite development process as design, integration, test, safety document preparation and operation. Students can learn the satellite development process through hands-on. Fourth satellite is 2U Cube satellite for measurement of geomagnetic field "YOTSUBA-KUlover" and this program is a joint program with Kyushu University. It is the first satellite developed by Kyutech students project to conduct …

Ezie-Mag: Empowering Students Nationwide In Space Science Exploration And Education, Jesper Gjerloev, Robin Barnes, Adebayo Eisape, Nelli Mosavi-Hoyer, Troy Cline, Christine Kalapala, Peter Seelman, Harry Rathbun

Small Satellite Conference

EZIE-Mag is a national STEM engagement program that is deploying 700 magnetometer kits free to schools across the United States. The EZIE-Mag is a comprehensive kit that provides science-quality measurements of earth's magnetic field at an ultra-low cost while being extremely easy to deploy and operate. The EZIE-Mag is part of the outreach component for the NASA Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) mission and provides students the unprecedented opportunity to observe and collect meaningful scientific data. This will enable them to connect with scientists around the world, and create a memorable and meaningful experience. The target age group for this …

Standing Up A Pragmatic Space Training Program At A Non-Traditional Space University, Bt Cesul, Stanley Kennedy Jr., Christopher Olson, Zakaria Mahmud, Edoardo Sarda, Christopher Smith

Small Satellite Conference

As the commercial and national security economics behind the development of space-based services heats up, revenue forecasts are exploding. "NewSpace" companies as well as traditional aerospace focused corporations are developing and deploying unprecedented numbers of new space-based systems, providing communications, remote sensing, navigation, and national security benefits to a global marketplace. The demand signal for trained and qualified space professionals has never been greater. Within the space professional ecosystem, universities have traditionally focused either on the space systems design aspect, the theoretical aspects of mission design, or the payload design and analysis. However, other aspects of the space economy are …

University Nanosatellite Program: Assessment Of Impacts From 25 Years Of Education, Discussion Of On-Going And Future Efforts, Sarah Fox, Lee Jasper, Beth Hemmerich, Emilia Colman, Seth Sisneros

Small Satellite Conference

The University Nanosatellite Program (UNP) was founded in 1999 as the first government funded program to mentor university students in the design, integration, and operations of small satellites. This program provides a platform for university programs to develop DoD-relevant small satellite technologies while training the next generation in the principles and practices of systems engineering. UNP has assisted in the development of over 100 missions from over 53 universities across the country and has over 11,000 alumni.

This paper presents several aspects of UNP: a reflection on historical outcomes and impacts, educational impact on UNP participants, its current efforts, and …

A Novel Cubesat Education Model And Emulation Tool, Logan Thompson, Michael Harrigan, Keith Jacobs Jr., Michael Lembeck

Small Satellite Conference

This paper introduces the Illinois Educational Development Unit (iEDU), a platform kit enabling middle and high school students to develop CubeSat mission payload concepts. Through interactive lessons prepared by graduate and undergraduate students at the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois (LASSI) for the University's 4-H/Extension unit, students learn the basics of CubeSat systems, programming control software, and executing payload operations. With these skills in hand, students are coached in designing their own experiments for interfacing with the iEDU.

The iEDU kit is based on a 3D-printed frame holding laser-cut 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm polycarbonate …

University Class Open Ground Station (Uniclogs), Glenn Lebrasseur, Andrew Greenberg, Anna Meneely, Kaleb Rice, Aiden Tuan

Small Satellite Conference

Most educational CubeSat projects have the same dilemma: not enough money to buy a commercially available ground station, and not enough internal experience and capabilities to build a reliable and inexpensive ground station in-house. We present a middle road to the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vs DIY conundrum for ground stations: the University Class Open Ground Station (UniCIOGS). UniCIOGS is an open-source satellite communications ground station meant to be customized and built by university and other small satellite operators around the world. UniCIOGS is primarily designed for amateur radio satellites; amateur licensing allows for groups to share transmit-capable stations. Even international …

Development And Testing Methods Of The Attitude Determination And Control System For The Astronomical 6u Cubesat Vertecs, Jose Rodrigo Cordova-Alarcon, Akihiro Ikeda, Wenceslao Benjarano-Torres, Kei Sano, Takao Nakagawa, Hayato Tanaka, Satoshi Ikari, Ichiro Jikuya, Keiichi Hirako, Yoichi Yatsu

Small Satellite Conference

VERTECS (Visible Extragalactic background RadiaTion Exploration by CubeSat) is a 6U CubeSat conceived to elucidate the star-formation history along the evolution of the universe by conducting several observations of the visible extragalactic background light (EBL) using a 3U size telescope mounted on the CubeSat. The observation strategy is done by capturing four images of the extragalactic background with a 60-second exposure time, shifting the observed field four times by 3° increments to cover a 6°x6° field of view, and stacking the acquired images afterward to perform photometry in the four bands in the ground. The satellite is designed to operate …

Challenges And Operations To Re-Establish Communications With Equuleus After Loss Of Contact During Its Cruise To The Earth-Moon L2 Point, Yosuke Kawabata, Shintaro Nakajima, Ryota Fuse, Shunichiro Nomura, Masanori Matsushita, Mariko Akiyama, Kota Miyoshi, Ryu Funase

Small Satellite Conference

EQUULEUS (EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft) is a 6U CubeSat developed by the University of Tokyo and JAXA. It was launched on November 16, 2022, aboard NASA’s SLS Artemis-1 with the objectives of demonstrating orbital maneuvering capabilities in the cis-lunar environment and observing Earth’s magnetosphere plasma. After completing its major orbital maneuvers and achieving full mission success, communication with EQUULEUS was lost in 18th May 2023. Rapid fault tree analysis and optical observations using large telescopes indicated the spacecraft was likely in an uncontrolled tumbling state. Recovery operations were planned to re-establish communication by identifying potential times for sufficient solar …

Mission Architecture For The Green Propulsion Dual Mode Mission, Kevin Tong, Samuel Wood, Mohit Singh, Conner Awald, Rithvik Nagarajan, Briana Paul, Dev Gujarathi, E. Glenn Lightsey, Nehemiah J. Williams, Christopher G. Burnside, Beau C. Simpson

Small Satellite Conference

Current spacecraft propulsion technologies are broadly divided into chemical and electric propulsion modes, each of which has unique advantages. It is common for both systems to have a place in interplanetary spacecraft, but the size, weight, and power required to carry two separate propulsion systems is extremely limiting for small spacecraft such as CubeSats. The upcoming NASA STMD-funded Green Propulsion Dual Mode (GPDM) mission will demonstrate on-orbit a novel dual-mode propulsion system known as the GPDM Propulsion System that uses the AF-M315E/ASCENT green monopropellant to feed both a chemical 100 mN monopropellant thruster and four electrospray thrusters. GPDM will fly …

Implementing A Neural Network Execution Framework In Realistic Space Hardware And Software As A Pseudo On-Orbit Demonstration, Rafael Polanco-Segovia, Piyush M. Mehta, Scott A. Zemerick

Small Satellite Conference

Recent advances in hardware and software technology have made it possible to implement more resource-demanding deep learning algorithms in lighter hardware environments. This creates opportunities to use deep learning for space applications on increasingly lighter and smaller spacecraft. The goal of this work is to demonstrate the viability of implementing a Neural Network Execution Framework (NNEF) that can facilitate a cross-platform and unified deployment of any neural network onboard a spacecraft hardware and flight software. The NNEF generalizes the neural network inference process, regardless of the original framework in which they were created. This allows users to focus on the …

Contentcube: A 1u Cubesat To Test Display Screens In Space, Joseph Esser, Jason Jagoda, Steffen Winther, Timothy Mcevoy, Tejas Vinod, Larsen Vanofferen, Dylan Cooper, Kevin Schroeder

Small Satellite Conference

ContentCube is a novel 1U CubeSat developed by inspireFly at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, in collaboration with Bronco Space at Cal Poly Pomona. The mission of ContentCube is to test the performance of the Adafruit breakout board OLED screen in orbit. This mission could pave the way for using display screens in the space environment. Such applications could include astronauts having displays on their suits that they can use to monitor critical information, or robotic systems having complex digital displays. The external display screen will be tested through a novel payload designed and tested at Virginia Tech. This payload …

Zero-Knowledge Tumbling Strategies For Increased Sunlight Capture On Small Satellites: Anti-Eigenvectors And The Dzhanibekov Effect, K. Mcmullan, J. Paxman, R. Howie

Small Satellite Conference

Effective attitude determination and control is often vital for the survival of solar array-powered satellites. Large spacecraft may employ powerful and accurate attitude determination and control strategies to reduce the risk of power management failures. Due to the size, weight, and power limitations of small satellites, slower and less accurate attitude determination and control instruments may be more attractive, limiting the strategies available. Consequently, many small satellite operators will turn to strategies requiring no information in the inertial frame (referred to here as "zero-knowledge" strategies) such as detumbling or spin stabilisation. While detumbling and spin stabilisation are often …

Merritt Coil Cubesat Attitude Test System (Mccats), Rachel Rakushkin, Madhav Kapa, John Kerr, Nicole Mcgruer

Small Satellite Conference

Traditional CubeSat Attitude Determination Control Systems (ADCS) leverage the Earth's magnetic field to point and detumble satellites using magnetorquers. Very few commercially available devices, however, generate adjustable uniform magnetic fields with a sufficiently large volume to test these ADCS in 12U satellites before launch. Furthermore, the existing devices are cost-prohibitive for smaller universities and organizations interested in developing small satellites. To assuage this challenge, we developed MCCATS: a modular, low-cost, and footprint-efficient test bed capable of generating a large volume of uniform and programmable magnetic field. The MCCATS design is based on the Merritt coil, which contains four large coils …

The Theoretical Simulation Analysis Of Vibrations In Small Satellites: A Material Study, Emilia Reber, Brian Williams, Mason Richter, Jackson Bradford, Sydney Whilden, Deepak R. Mishra

Small Satellite Conference

Accounting for vibrations is a critical component in the design of a small satellite frame. This research aims to determine the most effective material for a small satellite. This will be accomplished through finite element analysis, simulated vibration fatigue testing, and material samples of the same physical design and proportion.

Four materials have been determined for testing, the first two of which are 6061 Aluminum and 4130 Stainless Steel, due to their ductility and industry prominence. 2024 Aluminum was selected due to its high ductility which is higher than that of 6061 Aluminum. Finally, while Cast Iron is not as …

Multi-Band Spherical Mesh Reflectors For Cis-Lunar Communication Relay Networks, Aman Chandra, Terrance Pat, Harlie Rios

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Aerodynamic Satellite Attitude Control In Very Low Earth Orbit, Cheng Chang, Robert Breidenthal, Bo-Chuan Lin, Ya-Xun Yang

Small Satellite Conference

Simulation of a 3U-sized standard platform with four control panels attached to the rear part of the satellite at an altitude of 300 km was performed in Simulink to verify the feasibility of the aerodynamic control. The entire controller is composed of three loops: one outer loop and two inner loops. The outer loop is based on the robust and tested quaternion error feedback regulator to provide the target torque input for the two inner loops. The inner loops are responsible for actuating the control panels, using the square-root-based PI controller and a dedicated designed Panel Selecting Method (PSM) to …

The Development Of Amateur Radio Communication System In Arica-2, Yoshihiro Takagi, Takanori Sakamoto, Motoko Serino, Tomoya Ushimaru, Nao Urakabe, Hiroki Kato, Yuki Tsuji, Keiju Asano, Chisaki Iwanaga, Kazumasa Hiroshi, Shion Nojima, Hayato Mabuchi, Shuntaro Morikawa

Small Satellite Conference

ARICA-2 (AGU Remote Innovative CubeSat Alert System-2) is a 2U CubeSat that aims to demonstrate a real-time alert system for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) using commercial satellite network devices. 1U CubeSat ARICA, the predecessor of ARICA-2, was launched in 2021, but to date has not successfully communicated. For this reason, we started to develop ARICA-2 as a re-challenge project, and the development is underway for the launch in Japanese fiscal year 2025. In addition to the two commercial satellite communication devices previously used, we will use a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) Communication device that communicates in the amateur radio band. In …

Development Of A Reaction Wheel Testbed With Object Tracking, Abigail Jocelyn Romero, Harvey Mallard Perkins, Stephen Thiam-Choy Kwok-Choon

Small Satellite Conference

This paper discusses the design, fabrication, and testing of a single axis reaction wheel testbed with optical object tracking. Reaction wheels enable satellites to control their attitude. This system can autonomously correct its attitude about a single axis and track an external object using an on-board camera. Tests were performed to calibrate the system and drive further iteration in the design. This system is intended for research and educational applications, including exploring satellite attitude control with aspects of hardware and software integration. Future work includes refinement of the object tracking algorithm and state estimation system to provide for more robust …

Lunar High Quality Terrain Scanning Mission Using Lidar Technology, Mohammed Muqahhis, Mohammed Al Qahtani, Ziyad Al Shamrani, Abrar-Ul-Haq Baluch

Small Satellite Conference

As interest in exploring the moon grows, this study suggests a mission plan that involves using a CubeSat fitted with a LiDAR sensor (SALi) to survey large sections of the lunar landscape and gather precise information on its ruggedness and altitude. By making use of available components and an advanced Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) system featuring star trackers, IMUs and maintaining a circular polar orbit at 125 km above the moon’s surface the CubeSat will implement the Lambert Method for efficient orbital insertion around the moon and employ reaction wheels along with ion thrusters for accurate imaging. Communication will …

Propulsion System Design And Sensitivity Analysis Of Sub 10cm Debris Detection Cubesat Mission, Mirza Talha Baig, Nicholas Crisp, Despina Ioannide

Small Satellite Conference

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites which are significant to global communication networks, face escalating collision risks from debris smaller than 10 cm. This risk has significantly increased by expanding satellite constellations like Starlink. Bob Sat is a small satellite(cube sat) conceptual design for detecting sub 10 cm debris for which a concept tradeoff was used to choose concept 1. This research introduces the propulsion system design for Bob Sat equipped with 36 JRT laser sensors for enhanced debris detection, crucial for collision avoidance. We detail a strategic mission plan deploying the satellite in circular orbits at various altitudes ranging from …

Temperature Dependence Of Gas X-Ray Detectors Onboard The 6u Cubesat X-Ray Observatory Ninjasat., Amira Aoyama, T. Tamagawa, T. Enoto, T. Kitaguchi, Y. Kato, T. Mihara, W. Iwakiri, M. Numazawa, Y. Zhou, K. Uchiyama, T. Takeda, Y. Yoshida, N. Ota, S. Hayashi, S. Watanabe, A. Jujo, S. Iwata, H. Sato, C. Hu, H. Takahashi, H. Odaka, T. Tamba, K. Taniguchi

Small Satellite Conference

We report the temperature dependence of Gas Multiplier Counters (GMCs) onboard the 6U CubeSat X-ray observatory NinjaSat.The detector performance of GMC depends on the temperature. The temperature dependence of the gain was calibrated for the detector response function in orbit using data from the Crab Nebula. The fit results using the function created improved the ratio of the fit curve to the data from 12% to 4% before and after gain correction.

Proton Single Events Effects Testing By Undergraduate Students For University Cubesat Mission Assurance, Pragun Bethapudi, Matthew Chang, Max Gross

Small Satellite Conference

The PROVES (Pleiades Rapid Orbital Verification Experimental System) Flight Controller Board was irradiated with 200 MeV Protons to a total fluence of 1e10 across multiple runs. Using the n/2000 method [1], this report has concluded the Non-destructive Single Event Effect (SEE) error rate of the Flight Controller Board to be 0.183 SEE per system day.

Preliminary Design Of A 3d Printing System For Creating Infinitely Large Structures In Space, Stephen Timperley, Grant Stec, Daniel Miller

Small Satellite Conference

As interest in the space environment grows, the demand for larger and more capable space systems will follow. A possible solution to fill this demand is additive manufacturing in the form of 3D printing. This paper showcases a working preliminary system to 3D print large structures in space from a small satellite. This is achieved by replacing the normal Z axis control of a conventional CoreXY fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer with a system to move along an infinitely extendable printed track. Having the ability to print and then move along this track creates a cycle of printing and …

Harnessing Cubesat Technology For Precision Pesticide Management In Egyptian Agriculture, Motaz El Sayed, Salem Abdou, Abdelhamid Sherif

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the development of an autonomous spraying robot designed to optimize agricultural practices through precise pesticide application, facilitated by the integration of real-time satellite data. The robot utilizes multispectral imaging from satellites, including NDVI and thermal data, to assess crop health and identify specific needs for intervention. The system aims to significantly reduce the volume of chemicals used in farming by targeting only the areas that require treatment, thus minimizing environmental impact while maintaining or enhancing crop yield. By employing advanced algorithms for data processing and machine operation, the robot autonomously navigates through fields, delivering pesticides in an …

Review Of Operations Automation In Small Satellites: A Small Satellite Portfolio Perspective, Joseph Melville, Andrew Narvaez, Lee Jasper

Small Satellite Conference

This poster is meant to drive discussion between all sectors on the effective application of automation in small satellite operations. Consider the entire operations environment, from satellites to ground stations to operator processes. • What automation methodologies do/will prove most effective? • Which are priorities and how can they be seamlessly adopted? • How can we make the most of the data we have for training and fitting models? • How can reliability be maintained as tools increase in complexity?

The Cosmic X-Ray Background Nanosatellite 3 (Cxbn-3): Toward An Improved Understanding Of Diffuse Emission Produced By High-Redshift Active Galactic Nuclei, Breno Mascarenhas Pontes, Brannon Jones, Thomas Pannuti, Jaden Yates, Benjamin Malphrus

Small Satellite Conference

The Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB) is the diffuse emission of hard X-rays (3-300 keV) that is observed across the whole sky. The general consensus for the sources of the CXB (particularly at higher energies) are heavily obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) located at a moderate redshift (z ≈ 1). To explore the properties of the CXB further (such as whether flux variations are present at different angular scales), the Space Science Center (SSC) at Morehead State University (MSU) is developing CXBN-3 (Cosmic X-ray Background Nanosatellite 3), a nanosatellite designed to measure the intensity of the CXB within the energy …

Printed Circuit Board Reaction Wheels For Small Satellites, Saral Tayal, Paulo Fisch, Zachary Manchester

Small Satellite Conference

Reaction wheels are critical for spacecraft attitude control, enabling precise pointing. However, conventional designs are bulky and expensive, limiting their application in CubeSats and PocketQubes. This paper introduces a novel PCB motor architecture specifically designed for reaction wheels in small satellites. Our design integrates motor windings as traces on the PCB and utilizes a dual-purpose rotor-flywheel combination, resulting in a volumetrically efficient configuration. Additionally, the reaction wheel’s PCB casing enables multifunctional capabilities, such as serving as the satellite’s structural elements or solar panels. The accessibility of PCB manufacturing offers a simplified and cost-effective production process, with each reaction wheel costing …

Development Of Testing And Verification Procedures For Memesat-1'S Subsystems, Jillian Russell, Deepak Mishra

Small Satellite Conference

MEMESat-1 is a 2U repeater crafted by the UGA Small Satellite Research Lab. It's geared towards inspiring the next generation of students to work in aerospace. MEMESat-1 is entering the stage of testing our satellite to ensure it will be prepared for its mission. These tests will be the respnsibility of MEMESat-1's Mission Operations team. MOPs will employ a series of ground tests to validate the satellite's subsystems, including its flight software via the DitL testing, communication via the Simulated Communication testing, power supply via the Charge Cycle testing, ADCS via the ADCS Verification testing, and command system via the …

Training Spacecraft Payload Developers In 10 Days: The Binarx 2024 School Holiday Program, Robert M. Howie, Meg Berry, Eriita G. Jones, Will Blackie, Renae Sayers, Phil A. Bland

Small Satellite Conference

The Space Science and Technology Centre's BinarX outreach program aims to enable Western Australian high school students to build their own spacecraft payloads (instruments or demonstrations) to fly in space on future Binar spacecraft. The aims of the program are to inspire and develop the next generation of aerospace professionals in our local community. Throughout the two-year pilot phase run in two high schools, the participants successfully developed space mission concepts that were relevant to them and achievable within the constraints of a 1U spacecraft platform. In particular, the background learning, mission concept design and requirements development (including a mission …