Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Validation Pipeline For In-Orbit App Deployment, Oskar Flordal, Marco Capuccini, Vinutha Magal Shreenath, Pablo Gómez, Gabriele Meoni

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

The Road To Better Stm, Joe Chan

Small Satellite Conference

There are currently just under 7000 functioning satellites in space and this is set to rapidly increase over the course of this decade. According to a recent Euroconsult report, during the period up to 2031, on average over 2,500 satellites will be launched every year. 83% of these are expected to be part of large constellations.

This huge increase in space traffic, as well as the complexities of a multi-orbit environment and the ever-increasing amount of debris, has brought STM back to the fore. A collision between a satellite and another space object has the potential to not only cause …

High-Altitude Balloon-Launched Cubesat Platform For Small Satellite Undergraduate Space Technology Education In Saudi Arabia, Ashraf Farahat, Ayman Abdullah, Abdulmalik Alghanmi, Bassam Aldar, Abduallah Albaqer, Yousef Almodhi

Small Satellite Conference

In this work, we discuss the effort of King Fahd University of Petroleum KFUPM undergraduate students to design a Balloon CubeSat and fly it to an altitude of about 30km. This approach allows enhancing the payload through several launching attempts at a relatively low cost. The KFUPM balloon CubeSat is the first stage in a multi-year program to enable undergraduate students to design and test a CubeSat platform and eventually launch to Earth orbit.

Distributed Spacecraft Mission (Dsm) Plume Design Reference Mission (Drm) Inter-Satellite Link Modeling, Analysis, And Simulation, Yen Wong, Robert Morgenstern, Jose Velazco

Small Satellite Conference

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) Radical Innovation Initiative (R12) plans to focus intently on DSM capability advancements in FY22-24. A DSM mission involves multiple spacecraft, arranged in a constellation, to achieve one or more common goals via the use of inter-satellite links (ISL) between the satellites. Recently, the GSFC Internal Research & Development (IRAD) program established Enceladus as a design reference mission (DRM) for the current DSM effort to foster the conceptual development of communication architecture, requirements, and solutions for future DSM ISL, as well as being able to push other research areas of interest. Enceladus is an icy …

Verification Of Exhaust Quasineutrality In A Pulsed Cathodic Arc Thruster Testbed, Patrick R. C. Neumann, Steven Despotellis, David Scholten, J. M. Mostert, Hervé Astier

Small Satellite Conference

Electric propulsion systems have become more common on-orbit in recent years due to their many benefits[1]. Most flight-rated systems generate thrust by producing an ion beam directed away from the spacecraft, which must then be neutralised to ensure proper spacecraft operation [2]. Despite decades of flight heritage, neutraliser lifetime is one of the more common life-limiting factors for Hall and ion thrusters [2, 3]. Systems currently under development that generate neutral plasma jets do not require a neutraliser, removing failure modes and reducing system complexity [4]. Neumann Space has developed to flight-readiness a pulsed cathodic arc thruster, which does not …

Development And Delivery Of A Custom Versal Board For Space Applications, Thomas Bradshaw, Jeffrey Mccasland, Joshua Donckels, James Meub, John Dickinson

Small Satellite Conference

The Versal can help enable rapid advancement to the next generation of radiation tolerant computing, drastically improving the processing capability of small satellites.

Novel Ground Communication For Geo Servicing Missions, Trevor Barth, Dan Mckee

Small Satellite Conference

As geostationary orbit (GEO) rendezvous proximity operations (RPO) missions are being launched as a means to provide life-extension services to active GEO satellites, new novel approaches to ground communication architecture have potential to simplify servicer design, reduce RF interference, and reduce overall mission operation costs. One such approach discussed here involves the servicer vehicle utilizing the client vehicle's active antenna and data stream during combined-stack operations versus maintaining a distinct communication stream with a separate ground station. The proposed method to accomplish this is to provide a physical umbilical connection during docking operations, allowing the servicer vehicle to provide power …

Mission Operations, Systems Engineering, And Ground Stations: How University Students Are Crucial To The Cu-Lasp Smallsats Program, Sierra Flynn

Small Satellite Conference

The Laboratory for Atmosphere and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado (CU) in Boulder, CO is an internationally recognized facility that specializes in atmospheric, solar, planetary, and space physics research, as well as spacecraft engineering, operations, and data analysis. LASP has contributed to the research, development, and operations of a multitude of missions exploring every planet in the solar system for over 70 years. At LASP, a multi-mission SmallSat Operations Team (SMOPS) composed of 2 professionals and 8 students currently supports 3 SmallSats in flight and numerous missions in development. Additionally, a sub-team of Ground Station Operations (GSOPS) …

Ioshex Interoperability With Space Rider: A New Ios Perspective, Marco Mariani, Marco Guerzoni, Fabio Carameli

Small Satellite Conference

IOSHEX is an orbital module developed by SAB Launch Services and equipped with specific robotic technologies that leverage on the existing SSMS Dispenser basic module (the Hexagon). The SSMS is the payload dispenser for VEGA and VEGA-C developed by SAB, with the purpose to optimize multiple small satellite missions on VEGA and VEGA-C.

IOSHEX will enable to perform IOS operations as part of the service provided by the launcher. To offer an enhanced service, SAB is working together with ESA to have a system able to interoperate with Space Rider, the new reusable in-orbit servicing and reeentry automated platform developed …

The Tamariw Mission: A Pioneering Cubesat Rendezvous And Docking Experiment, Roland Haber, Felix Sittner, Klaus Schilling, Sergio Montenegro

Small Satellite Conference

TAMARIW consists of two 3U satellites that will be launched in a docked state as a single 6U. Each side houses identical components, which enable them to act independently, once seperated. The mission is planned for a 2025 launch.

An Attempt To Improve Educational Effectiveness In University Cubesat Programs By Balancing Commercial Product And Diy, Toshihiro Kameda

Small Satellite Conference

The goal of CubeSat project at university is not only mission success in space, in addition, it must satisfy many educational aspects. We should not categorize CubeSat project into mere assembling routine work. Well balanced DIY would be suitable for educational CubeSat projects in many universities.

A Review Of The Rubicon Space Systems 5n Low Throughput Ascent Thruster Development, Allison Lentz, Daniel Cavender, Mackenzie Kilcoin, Nathan Daniel

Small Satellite Conference

The Propulsion division of Plasma Processes LLC was relaunched as Rubicon Space Systems with a mission to commercialize its line of thrusters and develop a line of propulsion systems for the small satellite industry. Rubicon's thrusters and propulsion systems use ASCENT monopropellant, also known as AF-M315E, developed by AFRL enabling high performance and safer chemical propulsion technology alternative to hydrazine and other green propellants. With more than 30 years of combined experience in green propulsion and thousands of hours of thruster testing experience, Rubicon leads the world in the development and commercialization of ASCENT propulsion technology.

Horizontally Scaling A C2 System To Hundreds Of Satellites In The Cloud, Ryan Melton, Jason Thomas

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

A3Sat Emulator Enterprise: To Observe The Earth And Visualize The Future, John Moore, Maxwell Friedman, Sriram Elango, Jin Kang, Christine Maceo

Small Satellite Conference

The A³Sat project allows students to build an active CubeSat Emulator incorporating components of an authentic design engineers use for launch into space. A³Sat V2 has been designed as a "Tier 2 Ready for Space with Modifications" Emulator.

Combination Of Palsar-2 Observation And Vdes Operation For Monitoring Illegal, Unreported And Unregulated Fishing Activities, Shinsaku Nakamura

Small Satellite Conference

Indonesian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is the sixth largest in the world. Fisheries in Indonesian EEZ are active and producing high amount of products, but illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities are also recognized. For monitoring and covering large area quantitatively, satellites are effective. The Indonesian government inspected 2,827 IUU fishing vessels and arrested 167 of them in 2021. It was also estimated that one illegal trawl fishing vessel would be able to lead 1.2 million USD of economic losses in Indonesia annually. The author put forward to use two different types of satellites for monitoring and managing wide …

Jaxa-Smash Program: Jaxa's New Co-Creation Program For Small Satellite Missions, Kenshi Sechi, Shinichi Takata, Yuya Kobayashi, Masuo Takahashi

Small Satellite Conference

JAXA-SMASH (JAXA-Small Satellite Rush) Program is a research and development program that encourages universities, private companies and JAXA to collaborate to realize small satellite missions utilizing commercial small launch opportunities, and to diversify transportation services in Japan.

Clear Shores: Enhancing Water Quality Monitoring, Benjamin Taylor, Guglielmo Aglietti, Moritz Lehmann

Small Satellite Conference

Mission goal: "Improve monitoring of the quality of water in and around Aotearoa New Zealand for researchers, decision makers and the public at large through innovative space technology"

From Lampoldshausen To Orbit: Dlr Spin-Off Greendelta And The Development Status Of Green Propellant Thrusters Based On H2O2 And N2O, Felix Lauck, Lukas Werling, Julian Dobusch, Marc Gritzka, Vincent Stratmann, Florian Merz, Till Hörger

Small Satellite Conference

The German Aerospace Center's Institute of Space Propulsion in Lampoldshausen has more than a decade of experience in green propellant research and green propulsion hardware development. In the frame of internal research projects as well as ESA and third-party projects DLR employees gained a deep and extensive knowledge of propulsion hardware. Based on this knowledge, thrusters and propulsion hardware were developed in-house and the TRL was increased step by step. Currently, the two most promising technologies are: the HyNOx bipropellant technology, based on nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon fuels, as well as the hypergolic HIP_11 technology. The HyNOx bipropellant offers a …

Design To Delivery Of Additively Manufactured Propulsion Systems For The Swarm-Ex Mission, Kevin Tong, Samuel Hart, Mackenzie Glaser, Samuel Wood, Mark Hartigan, E. Glenn Lightsey

Small Satellite Conference

Recent progress in miniaturized spacecraft propulsion technology has allowed for the development of complex, multi-vehicle missions which enable the cost-effective realization of science goals that would previously have been prohibitively expensive. The upcoming NSF-funded Space Weather Atmospheric Reconfigurable Multiscale EXperiment (SWARM-EX) mission leverages these swarm techniques to demonstrate novel autonomous formation flying capabilities while characterizing the spatial and temporal variability of ion-neutral interactions in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly and Equatorial Thermospheric Anomaly. SWARM-EX will fly a trio of 3U CubeSats in a variety of relative orbits with along-track separations ranging from 3 km to 1300 km.

To achieve the required …

Aquarius: The World's First Water-Based Thruster Enabled 6u Cubesat To Complete Lunar Flyby, Aoma Fujimori, Hokuto Sekine, Yasuho Ataka, Isamu Moriai, Mariko Akiyama, Masaya Murohara, Hiroyuki Koizumi, Ryu Funase

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the outcomes of the initial operations and on-orbit performance of AQUARIUS (AQUA ResIstojet propulsion System), a micro-propulsion system. AQUARIUS utilizes water as a propellant and is designed for trajectory control and reaction wheel desaturation of a 6U CubeSat, EQUULEUS (EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft). The spacecraft was launched in November 2022 by SLS, following which the initial operations commenced. Both the spacecraft and the propulsion system were confirmed to be in good health during the checkout process. Performance evaluation of the propulsion system confirmed that it met the requirement to execute the first delta-V maneuver scheduled 38 …

Lessons Learned During The Implementation Of A Cold Gas Propulsion System For The Sunrise Mission, Ryan Martineau, Tyson Smith, Matt Felt, Cameron Weston, Blake Rusch, Robert Fowler, Emma Brown, Adam Farmer, Tim Neilsen, Craig Thompson, Alex Kirkman, Paul Fluckiger, Shawn Morrison, Dave Wittner, Frank Picha, Jeffrey Weiss, Nathan Daniel, Samuel Wood, Mackenzie Glaser

Small Satellite Conference

The SunRISE mission utilizes a two-phase cold gas propulsion system, which provides several advantages over other cold gas systems but experienced challenges during assembly and testing. Since 2020, Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC), Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (FPL) have implemented several improvements to the SunRISE propulsion system.

The SunRISE propulsion system leverages an additively manufactured monolithic structure, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) valves and transducers, and the benign working fluid R-236fa to provide a suitable propulsion system for the SunRise mission. While the GTRC propulsion system had been developed for other missions, the multi-organizational …

The Journey Of The Lunar Flashlight Propulsion System From Launch Through End Of Mission, Celeste Smith, Nathan Cheek, Christopher Burnside, John Baker, Philippe Adell, Frank Picha, Matthew Kowalkowski, Glenn Lightsey

Small Satellite Conference

The Lunar Flashlight Propulsion System (LFPS) was developed as a technology demonstration to enable the Lunar Flashlight spacecraft to reach Lunar orbit and to desaturate onboard reaction wheels. While the system produced over 16 m/s of delta-v and successfully managed momentum, variable thrust performance, most likely due to debris in the propellant flow path, kept the spacecraft from reaching the Moon. This paper details the in-flight journey of the LFPS, highlighting both successes and challenges met throughout the mission, and provides lessons learned applicable to future CubeSat missions and additively manufactured propulsion systems.

On-Orbit Demonstration Of The Water Resistojet Propulsion System On Commercial 6u-Sat Sphere-1 Eye, Yuichi Nakagawa, Akira Iwakawa, Shogo Kameyama, Takeo Kikuchi, Kazuya Yaginuma, Jun Asakawa, Hiroyuki Koizumi

Small Satellite Conference

SPHERE-1 EYE, a 6U CubeSat developed by Sony Group Corporation, was launched at the beginning of 2023. The satellite included a water resistojet propulsion system, which is designed for orbit raising after the initial checkout. The water resistojet propulsion system consists of a tank, a vaporizer, nozzles, a control board, and a power processing unit. The form factor of the propulsion system is 1.25 U, the wet mass is 1.4 kg, and the achievable total impulse of the system is 170 Ns or higher. A unique design of the water propulsion system is a vaporization chamber generating steam at room …

Extended Life Qualification Of The Magnetically Shielded Miniature (Masmi) Hall Thruster, Vernon H. Chaplin, Jacob B. Simmonds, Matthew P. Byrne, Dan M. Goebel, Alejandro Lopez Ortega, Robert B. Lobbia, Ioannis G. Mikellides, Richard R. Hofer, Brian X. Zhu, John M. Ratliff, Ryan W. Conversano

Small Satellite Conference

We present an update on the life qualification of the Magnetically Shielded Miniature (MaSMi) Hall thruster (also known as the ASTRAEUS Thruster Element), which was developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was recently licensed to ExoTerra Resource for flight production (renamed Halo12). In 2020-2021, the thruster successfully completed a 7205-hour wear test at operating powers from 200-1350 W, processing over 100 kg of xenon propellant and producing 1.55 MN-s total impulse with no measurable degradation in performance. The wear test is being extended to further demonstrate the service life capability of the thruster. In separate tests, prot-flight MaSMi hollow …

Small Satellite Payload Calibration, Deron Scott, Cole Miller, Eli Salay, Shane Canfield, Scott Hansen, Matt Berghout, Jan Kunzler, Duane Miles

Small Satellite Conference

This project focused on developing an efficient and cost-effective method for calibrating optical payloads that streamlines setup, measurement, and analysis time while staying within a SmallSat budget. To develop and test the concept, the team identified key calibration parameters and performed a demonstration on a surrogate payload using spatial, spectral, and radiometric calibration methods. Calibration results were derived from the demonstration and are detailed below.

Trusted Distributed Autonomy Demonstration Experiment: Simulation Based Results, Islam I. Hussein, Holly Borowski, Josh Baker, Jeremy Murray-Krezan, Chad Elliot, Robert Macmillan, Sean Phillips

Small Satellite Conference

The goal of the Trusted Distributed Autonomy Demonstration Experiment (TDADE) is to develop and demonstrate a fully autonomous, distributed, trusted, and adaptive onboard autonomy software solution that enables resilient management of resources in proliferated space constellations, to meet complex Missions at Scale.

Cubesat System Reference Model (Csrm) As An Omg Specification, David Kaslow, Daniel Brookshier, Alejandro Levi, Steven A. Maclaird

Small Satellite Conference

This paper describes the transformation of the CubeSat Reference Model™ (CSRM™) into an Object Management Group® (OMG®) specification, as effected by the International Committee on System Engineering (INCOSE) Space System Working Group (SSWG) from 2016 to 2022.

The CSRM is a logical model of engineering artifacts used by a CubeSat mission team to build its mission-specific logical and physical models according to its individual engineering methodology. It is based on Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) principles, is OMG System Modeling Language (SysML) compliant, is hosted on a graphical modeling tool, and is intended to foster completeness and economies of scale associated …

Independent Promotion Of Young Talents In Satellite Development On The Full-Scale Satellite Mission Source, Daniel Galla, Sabine Klinkner, Michael Lengowski, Robin Schweigert, Klemens Boltenhagen, Natascha Bonidis, Bastian Krämer, Jonas Meth

Small Satellite Conference

The SOURCE mission is the first student satellite developed at the University of Stuttgart. This unique opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students is made possible by the cooperation between the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) and the Small Satellite Student Society (KSat e.V.)

Afrl Recurve Mission Success, Loss, Diagnosis, And Lessons Learned, Tyler De Caussin, Kate Yoshino, Lee Jasper, Franklin Hinckley, Brandon Shirley

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellites are making leaps in capability and are more often successful than even 5 years ago. However, there are many practices and approaches that are fairly new and deserve consideration for their efficacy. AFRL’s Small Satellite Portfolio (SSP) has been researching both first-of-their-kind technology demonstrations and the practices/approaches for their implementation. This paper discusses those practices and their results on the recent flight mission Recurve.

The Portfolio, somewhat uniquely, has the ability to execute flight demonstrations starting from concept and ending in operations, literally under one roof. Recurve was comprised of in-house developed and vendor supplied subsystems; in-house flight …

An Ultra-Compact Ion Mass Spectrometer For Observations Of Planetary Ionospheres, Carlos A. Maldonado, Gabriel Wilson, Justin Mcglown, Heidi Morning, Daniel Arnold, Thomas K. Kim, Tatiana N. Espinoza, Micalah Miller, Anthony J. Rogers, Daniel Reisenfeld, Michael Holloway

Small Satellite Conference

The Compact Ion Mass Spectrometer (CIMS) is an ultra-low resource ion mass spectrometer being designed to make observations of low-energy space plasmas such as that in planetary ionospheres. The CIMS utilizes a laminated collimator to define the field-of-view, a laminated electrostatic analyzer to selectively filter ions based on energy-per-charge (E/qM/q), and a microchannel plate with a position sensitive cross-delay anode assembly (XDL/MCP) to detect the location of the ions on the detector plane. This ion mass spectrometer is a simple, compact, and robust instrument ideal for obtaining low-energy (0.1 eV to 1000 eV) ion composition measurements of terrestrial …