Digital Commons Network^™

Itasat-2 Mission Overview, Luís Eduardo Vergueiro Loures Da Costa, Tiago Matos, Lidia Hissae Shibuya Sato, Ana Carolina Jeronymo, Victoria De Souza Rodrigues, Thadeu De Carvalho

Small Satellite Conference

The ITASAT-2 project is part of a progressive development of CubeSat space missions at the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). Focused simultaneously on space weather and on the development of new technological solutions, the ITASAT-2 mission is based on the previous developments of the ITASAT-1 and SPORT missions. Consisting of three 12U CubeSats in a formation flight, the mission expands on the study of ionospheric plasma movements and density, small-scale ionospheric structures, magnetic field, and radiation environment. On the development of technological solutions, the mission proposes to test a baseline option at LEO to understand the influence of ionospheric phenomena …

Binar Space Program: Mission Two Payloads And Operations Plan, Stuart Buchan, Fergus Downey, Benjamin Hartig, Daniel Busan, Jacob Cook, Chelsea Tay, Kyle Mcmullan, Tristan Ward, Robert Howie, Phil Bland, Jonathan Paxman

Small Satellite Conference

The second mission of Western Australia’s Binar Space Program consists of three 1U CubeSats targeting a 2023 launch. Aiming to improve the platform for future missions, the primary purpose of Binar 2, 3 and 4 is on-orbit testing of radiation shielding alloys developed by CSIRO. In this first-of-its-kind experiment, all three simultaneously deployed Binar spacecraft will contain radiation sensing payloads to assess the efficacy of various compositions of Australian made radiation shielding alloys. Alongside this, hardware changes to the Binar platform are discussed, including deployable solar arrays, additional communications solutions, and a removable payload bay. The Iridium network will be …

Bronco Ember An Edge Computing Acceleration Platform With Computer Vision, Zachary Gaines, Maximum Wilder-Smith, Cristian Rodriguez

Small Satellite Conference

Bronco Ember is a nascent wildfire detection system that leverages edge computing capabilities, multi-spectral imaging, and artificial intelligence to greatly increase the performance of small satellite remote sensing payloads. The core hardware onboard is a SWIR InGaAs camera imaging in the 900nm to 1700nm wavelength and a GPU enabled single board computer. Artificial intelligence is used for fire detection and analysis using computer vision and neural networks being able to detect fires only filling a few pixels in each image. The system is based on traditional CNN networks and includes time series analysis that gives the system an 85% success …

The Canvas Mission: Quantifying The Very-Low-Frequency Radio Energy Input From The Ground Into The Earth's Magnetosphere, Robert A. Marshall, Riley A. Reid, James M. Cannon, Sebastian Wankmueller, Paraksh Vankawala, Scott Palo, David M. Malaspina, Thierry Dudok De Wit, Guillaume Jannet

Small Satellite Conference

Very-low-frequency (VLF) electromagnetic waves, emitted by ground-based sources including lightning and VLF transmitters, can impact the lower ionosphere and magnetosphere through their interaction with the local plasma and energetic particle environments. Quantifying the impacts of these waves requires an accurate assessment of the propagation and attenuation of these waves. The Climatology of Anthropogenic and Natural VLF wave Activity in Space (CANVAS) mission is designed to measure VLF waves in low Earth orbit originating from these ground-based sources. The mission aims to characterize the VLF environment in low Earth orbit to address two main goals: i) constrain the VLF wave injection …

Update On The Cubesat Program Of The National Science Foundation, Mangala Sharma

Small Satellite Conference

Since 2008, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has provided grant funding for over a dozen university-led cubesat missions for scientific research and STEM education. The aims of the NSF cubesat program are to advance observations for space weather, atmospheric and geospace sciences as well as technology development in aerospace engineering and radiocommunications, and to provide “out of this world” leadership opportunities for university students in space missions. This presentation by the NSF Program Director managing the cubesat portfolio will provide an update on the NSF cubesat program.

Snooping Around: Observation Planning For The Signals Of Opportunity P-Band Investigation (Snoopi), Justin Mansell, Elisa Rivera, Seho Kim, Benjamin R. Nold, James L. Garrison, Manuel A. Vega, Juan C. Raymond, Roger Banting, Weihang Li, Hasnaa Khalifi, Rajat Bindlish, Rashmi Shah

Small Satellite Conference

Launching October 2022, the SigNals Of Opportunity P-band Investigation (SNOOPI) is a 6U CubeSat dedicated to demonstrating spaceborne remote sensing of root zone soil moisture and snow water equivalent using signals of opportunity. P-band (240-500 MHz) frequencies are required to penetrate dense vegetation or snow and into the top 200 cm of soil, but this band is heavily subscribed. Rather than transmitting its own signal SNOOPI will observe reflected signals from the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System satellites. This makes planning observations challenging. The point of reflection is a function of both the transmitter and receiver satellite positions as …

Ernst: Demonstrating Advanced Infrared Detection From A 12u Cubesat, Martin Schimmerohn, Clemens Horch, Stephan Busch, Noah Ledford, Konstantin Schäfer, Thorsten Maue, Mike Weber, Konstantin Kappe, Frank Schäfer, Caroline Schweitzer, Stefan K. Höffgen, Andreas Paape

Small Satellite Conference

The ERNST mission will demonstrate complex infrared detection capabilities using a 12U CubeSat platform. ERNST’s main payload is an advanced cryogenically-cooled infrared imager that implicates demanding requirements in terms of power demand, heat dissipation, and vibration response for a nanosatellite. The optical bench that integrates optics, a filter-wheel for switching between spectral bands, and the detector-cooler system has been additively designed and manufactured, giving it a bionic appearance and combined with a highly efficient radiator. An onboard radiation monitor and a COTS camera complete the mission payloads. The ERNST 12U platform is based on high-performance CubeSat subsystems for avionics, UHF, …

Ut Prosat-1: A Platform For Testing Lightweight Deployable Composite Structures, Derick Whited, Nick Angle, Gustavo Gargioni, Richard F. Gibbons Iii, Rob Engebretson, Sheyda Davaria, Samantha Kenyon, Jonathan Black

Small Satellite Conference

This paper details the mission, challenges during the design process, and lessons learned from the development of an upcoming 3U cubesat from Virginia Tech dubbed Ut ProSat-1, scheduled to launch in 2023 on NG-19. This student-designed, -built, and -operated flight is a follow-on from the VT ThickSat launch in February 2021, incorporating lessons learned and upgrading specific experiments. The mission science goal is to demonstrate the reusability of lightweight deployable space structures for solar sails, antennas, and other extended components as well as characterizing the dynamic properties of the deployed structure while in space. In addition, the team has set …

In-Orbit Demonstration Of Propellant-Less Formation Flight With Momentum Exchange Of Jointed Multiple Cubesats In The Magnaro Mission, Takaya Inamori, Park Ji-Hyun, Keita Nagai, Hiroto Tamura, Gu Xinbo, Yoshiki Fujita, Ryusei Yamaguchi, Takeru Miyamoto, Daiki Ukita, Takatomo Osaki, Yuta Sakaguchi, Naoya Tamaoki, Yutaka Yasuda

Small Satellite Conference

Recently, small satellites such as CubeSats have been applied to a variety of missions such as scientific observations and remote sensing. One of attractive applications that can be relatively easily achieved by small satellites are multi-satellite missions such as formation flight and constellation. As a new method to realize these multi-satellite missions, we propose a method to separate jointed multiple satellite magnetically to generate ΔV without thrusters. To demonstrate the proposed method, we are developing a 3U sized CubeSat called MAGNARO (MAGnetically separating NAnosatellite with Rotation for Orbit control).

Rapid Development Of Low-Cost 1/2u Adaptive Optics Testbed, Ariel Sandberg, Albert Thieu, Anil Mankame, Zachary Palmer, Joel Kiers, Mark Wilder, Lulu Liu

Small Satellite Conference

We present the development of the low-cost, rapid development 1/2U AMS Beacon CubeSat payload, with focus on design architecture and risk reduction of the system. The AMS Beacon payload (Beacon) will be integrated into the Agile MicroSat (AMS) 6U CubeSat platform developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and will serve as a test platform for high-angle-rate adaptive optics (AO) on orbital targets. The payload will contain a high-intensity laser to provide point-source phase reference for ground-based AO development and test, a photodiode for measurement of received optical power, and a retroreflector for simulating passive object reflectance. The system utilizes commercial-off-theshelf (COTS) …

A Compact Gamma Ray And X-Ray Detector For Cube Satellites, Luke Kohler, Michael Quach, Matthew Roberts, Aisling Acuna, Brooke Webster

Small Satellite Conference

Cosmic radiation continues to be a constant threat to any prolonged space mission. Harboring biological or non-biological payloads aboard a spacecraft traveling in space, cosmic radiation showers ionizing particles such as gamma and x-ray particles from our neighboring stars in our solar system and galaxy clusters. These ionizing particles create extensive issues for extended space missions such as traveling to Mars due to their degrading radiation effects on the human body and spacecraft electronics. Although precise instruments give more accurate results, they are presented as expensive, bulky, and heavy for space missions. This paper presents the background, capabilities, and opportunity …

Finch: A Blueprint For Accessible And Scientifically Valuable Remote Sensing Satellite Missions, Adyn Miles, David Maranto, Shiqi Xu, Rosalind Liang, Yong Da Li, Jason Rock, Amreen Imrit, Maggie Kou, Abeer Fatima, Allen Kasum, Amy Saranchuk, Ana-Maria Zamrii, Andy Gong, Angelina Hui, Anthony Dimaggio, Bejamin Nero, Bettina Oghinan, Bruno Almeida, Brytni Richards, Cameron Rodriguez, Dhruv Sirohi, Eman Shayeb, Emma Belhadfa, Eren Cimentepe, Ginny Guo, Harshit Sohaney, Hiba Al-Falahi, Ian Vyse, Iliya Shofman, Jasnoor Guliani, Jennifer Zhang, Kanver Bhandal, Kejsi Gjerazi, Ketan Vasudeva, Khalil Damouni, Kimberley Orna, Konstantinos Papaspyridis, Kyoka Collina Stone, Maggie Fen Wang, Mary Cheng, Maxime Michet, Mingde Yin, Mirai Shinjo, Nicholas Glenn, Novera Ahmed, Omar Farag, Prachi K. Sukhnani, Punyaphat Sukcharoenchaikul, Rajvi Rana, Rediet Yohannes, Selena Liu, Shuhan Zheng, Stephanie Yi Fei Lu, Tianyi Zhang, Tobias Rozario, Wanda Janaeska, Yifan (Julia) Ye, Ziyu Chen

Small Satellite Conference

Satellite remote sensing missions have grown in popularity over the past fifteen years due to their ability to cover large swaths of land at regular time intervals, making them suitable for monitoring environmental trends such as greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural practices. As environmental monitoring becomes central in global efforts to combat climate change, accessible platforms for contributing to this research are critical. Many remote sensing missions demand high performance of payloads, restricting research and development to organizations with sufficient resources to address these challenges. Atmospheric remote sensing missions, for example, require extremely high spatial and spectral resolutions to generate …

Satellite For Estimating Aquatic Salinity And Temperature (Seasalt) - A Scientific Overview, Sean Mccarthy, Viviane Menezes, Paul Fucile, Kerri Cahoy, Mary Dahl, Albert Thieu, Cadence Payne, Charles Lindsay, Shreeyam Kacker

Small Satellite Conference

SEASALT is a small satellite mission designed to explore the estimation of salinity in coastal environments using ocean color. A SEASALT constellation would fill the coastal gap by providing coastal SSS observations with much higher spatial resolution (30m) and much shorter revisit times (less than 1 day) on a global scale. Planet’s nanosatellites currently provide daily monitoring of the earth’s surface, as well as coastal locations, at 3-meter resolution. However, they do not have the required bands needed in the near infrared (NIR) for atmospheric correction (they only possess 1 NIR band), thus making atmospheric correction over water very challenging. …

Adapting On Orbit: Conclusions Of The Stp-H6 Spacecraft Supercomputing For Image And Video Processing Experiment, Evan W. Gretok, Seth Roffe, Antony Gillette, Alan D. George, Sebastian Sabogal, Theodore Schwarz

Small Satellite Conference

Spacecraft Supercomputing for Image and Video Processing (SSIVP) was a payload aboard the Department of Defense Space Test Program – Houston 6 pallet deployed on the International Space Station. SSIVP was designed and constructed by graduate students at the NSF Center for Space, High-Performance, and Resilient Computing (SHREC) at the University of Pittsburgh. The primary objective of this experiment was to evaluate resilient- and parallel-computing capabilities in a small-satellite form factor. Five flight computers, each combining radiation-tolerant and commercial-off-the-shelf technologies, were networked by high-speed interconnects, enabling a reliable space-supercomputing paradigm. Image-processing and computer-vision experiments were conducted on Earth-observation imagery acquired …

Development Of Cubesat Spacecraft-To-Spacecraft Optical Link Detection Chain For The Click B/C Mission, Danielle E. Coogan, Joseph Conroy, Myles Clark, John W. Conklin, Hannah Tomio, William Kammerer, Peter Grenfell, Ondrej Čierny, Charles Lindsay, Maddie Garcia, Paul Serra, Kerri Cahoy, Jan Stupl, David Mayer, John Hanson

Small Satellite Conference

The growing interest in and expanding applications of small satellite constellation networks necessitates effective and reliable high-bandwidth communication between spacecraft. The applications of these constellations (such as navigation or imaging) rely on the precise measurement of timing offset between the spacecraft in the constellation. The CubeSat Laser Infrared CrosslinK (CLICK) mission is being developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Florida (UF), and NASA Ames Research Center. The second phase of the mission (CLICK-B/C) will demonstrate a crosslink between two CubeSats (B and C) that each host a < 2U laser communication payload. The terminals will demonstrate full-duplex spacecraft-to-spacecraft communications and ranging capability using commercial components. As part of the mission, CLICK will demonstrate two-way time-transfer for clock synchronization and data transfer at a minimum rate of 20 Mbps over separation distances ranging from 25 km to 580 km. The payloads of CLICK B and C include a receiver chain with a custom photodetector board, a Time-to-Digital Converter (TDC), a Microchip Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The payloads can measure internal propagation delays of the transmitter and the receiver, and cancel environmental effects impacting timing accuracy. The photodetector board is 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm and includes an avalanche photodiode (APD) and variable-gain amplifiers through which the detected signal is conditioned for the TDC to be time-stamped. This design has been developed from the UF and NASA Ames CubeSat Handling Of Multisystem Precision Time Transfer (CHOMPTT) project and associated MOCT (Miniature Optical Communication Transceiver) demonstration. The TDC samples the signal at four points: twice on the rising edge at set thresholds, and twice at the falling edge at those same thresholds. These four time-offset samples are sent to the FPGA, which combines the measurements for a reported timestamp of the detected laser pulse. These timestamps can then be used in a pulse-position modulation (PPM) demodulation scheme to receive data at up to 50 Mbps, to calculate range down to 10 cm, and for precision time-transfer with < 200 ps resolution. In this paper, we will discuss the designed capabilities and noise performance of the CLICK TDC-based optical receiver chain.

Utilizing Deep Reinforcement Learning To Effect Autonomous Orbit Tranfers And Intercepts On-Orbit Via Edge Compute, Gabriel Sutherland

Small Satellite Conference

The goal of this project was to create a system capable of autonomous operation with minimal telemetry requirements, while operating within the limits of on-orbit compute and power reserves. Previous work has centered around the use of GPUs to train Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) agents for the purpose of autonomous space debris remediation. In the past, a DRL agent was fed orbital tracking data for both debris and active spacecraft to effect target intercepts. However, this approach proved problematic due to large network sizes and expensive computational and training costs. An updated approach utilized Nvidia GPUs to train a Double-Q …

Wire Driven Mechanisms For Deployable Components For Optical Payloads, Mark Honeth, Akash Yalagach, Guglielmo Aglietti

Small Satellite Conference

Large empty volumes in optical payloads like telescopes and baffles take up significant, potentially useful space to package within a launcher volume, and can limit the minimum size of a spacecraft, having major implications on launch options and costs. Volume can be saved by using telescopic structures which can be deployed in-orbit. In previous work a light-weight wire-driven telescope was developed, which employed a constant torque spring motor with a damper to achieve a controlled deployment. This work focusses on the application of a similar deployment scheme to an optical baffle and the further development of the driving, tension-balancing and …

Principles For Designing Origami-Inspired Composite Space Structures With High-Strain Compliant Laminate Joints, Samuel P. Smith, Collin Ynchausti, Spencer P. Magleby

Small Satellite Conference

In space missions, many methods and techniques are used to enable large deployable structures—such as solar arrays, antennas, and radiators—for power, communication, and heat regulation. With origami as inspiration, a new class of self-deployable, self-stiffening, and retractable (SDSR) array has been developed and is reviewed. SDSR arrays are a scalable deployable architecture based on origami flasher patterns. They do not require the aid of external support and actuation structures common in space applications, instead replacing them with strained compliant joints and reeling cables. Aluminum construction has previously been successfully modeled and demonstrated, however, SDSR technology can be greatly improved with …

Two-Layer Pop-Up Origami Deployable Membrance Reflectarray Antenna Stowed In 1u Cubesat, Takashi Tomura, Hiraku Sakamoto, Yuki Takeda, Gen Nakayama, Toranosuke Yanagi, Motoki Moritani, Shuhei Koike, Yuki Takeda, Shinya Tamura, Kazuki Nagai, Sora Kanamaru

Small Satellite Conference

The present paper shows the innovative deployable reflectarray antenna concept that enables to stow a 1m-by-1m square antenna into 1U CubeSat volume. The antenna is composed of two-layer membranes to obtain an air gap. A one-layer deployable membrane structure was demonstrated by the 3U CubeSat OrigamiSat-1 in 2019. The authors are currently developing two technologies to realize the reflectarray antenna. First, the deployable two-layer membrane structure is to be achieved by using pop-up picture book’s mechanism. Second, reflection elements for the reflectarray antenna that do not cross folding lines are proposed to avoid gain degradation.

Thermal Analysis And Design For Visors Cubesat Formation, Hasnain Daudi, Rishikesh Gadre, Erik Zabalegui Lopez, Eddie Kon, Evgeniia Vorozhbit, Petr Kazarin, Alina Alexeenko

Small Satellite Conference

VISORS (Virtual Super-resolution Optics with Reconfigurable Swarms) is a space physics mission for solar corona investigation that will help observe and study the heat release regions. The pair of two formation flying CubeSats containing the observatory and detector will capture the extreme ultraviolet features on the Sun with an unprecedented resolution of 0.2 arcseconds. The strict six-month mission challenges include relative orbit requirements during science observations with several advanced technologies for precise formation flying. For a successful mission, one needs to make sure all the components of the CubeSats' payload meet the thermal requirements. This work performs the thermal analysis …

Utilizing Additive Manufacturing Of Semi-Crystalline Thermoplastics And Topology Optimized Generative Designs For Complex Small Satellite Bus Geometries, William Hunter Bradford, Aidan Delliponti, Ryan Formel

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellite buses have traditionally been manufactured through subtractive means and ultimately limiting capability in feature, form, and an inability to alter the volumetric density of the material. However, emergent additive manufacturing methods that utilize Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) integrated with soluble support material allow us to print synthetic thermoplastics, such as Polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Consequently, the number of structural parts and hardware components is reduced, along with the cost. Structural strength and dimensional stability of PEEK are comparable to traditional aluminum alloys in the construction of most satellite components. Additive manufacturing further allows the implementation of topology optimization algorithms to …

Developing Machine Learning Models For Space Based Edge Ai Platforms, James Murphy, John E. Ward, Brian Mac Namee

Small Satellite Conference

On September 3rd 2020, one of the first small satellites equipped with Edge AI hardware was launched. The inclusion of a UB0100 board on PhiSat-1 enabled the use of deep neural networks to provide real-time image analysis on-board an Earth Observation satellite. The primary benefit of this was a 90% reduction in downlink data as the system only transmitted non-cloudy, and thus usable, data. PhiSat-1 and missions like it have started the revolution of satellite-based machine learning, leading ESA and other space agencies to further explore the in-situ deployment of machine-learning models. Other applications that can benefit from on-board space-based …

Methodology For Correlating Historical Degradation Data To Radiation-Induced Degradation System Effects In Small Satellites, Richard H. Nederlander, Arthur F. Witulski, Robert A. Reed, Enxia Zhang, Ronald D. Schrimpf, Brian D. Sierawski, Gabor Karsai, Nag Mahadevan, Keivan G. Stassun, Kaitlyn L. Ryder, Rebekah A. Austin, Michael J. Campola, Ray L. Ladbury

Small Satellite Conference

When constructing a system-level fault tree to demonstrate device-to-system level radiation degradation, reliability engineers need relevant, device-level failure probabilities to incorporate into reliability models. Deriving probabilities from testing can be expensive and time-consuming, especially if the system is complex. This methodology offers an alternative means of deriving device-level failure probabilities. It uses Bayesian analysis to establish links between historical radiation datasets and failure probabilities. A demonstration system for this methodology is provided, which is a TID response of a linear voltage regulator at 100 krad(S_iO₂). Data fed into the Bayesian model is derived from literature on …

Ut Prosat-1: A Repeatable Passive Deployer Mechanism For Testing Carbon Fiber Tape Spring Booms, Robert Engebretson, Minzhen Du, Deven Mhadgut, Tyler Rhodes, Anthony Spinetta, Sheyda Davaria, Derick Whited, Jonathan Black

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents the design, production, and testing of a mechanism to passively deploy a bistable coiled tape spring in a controlled, reliable, and repeatable manner on a SmallSat. The design has the tape spring wrapped around a spool that can be connected and disconnected from a motor to allow passive deployment through its stored elastic energy along with motorized retraction. The design went through several iterations before a workable prototype made of 3D-printed ABS and resin was developed. The prototype utilized a threaded clutch mechanism to transfer rotational motion from a servo to linear motion that allows two gears …

A Low-Cost Attitude Determination And Control System And Hardware-In-The-Loop Testbed For Cubesats, Benjamin Jensen, Zachary Manchester

Small Satellite Conference

The attitude determination and control system (ADCS) for a satellite is responsible for multiple key roles in a satellite’s mission, including detumbling the satellite after deployment, pointing payload sensors, and orienting antennas and solar panels for effective communication and power generation. Designing an effective ADCS is crucial to a mission’s success; however, current methods often rely on actuators and sensors that are bulky and expensive, such as reaction wheels and star trackers. While these systems can provide high accuracy, they often cannot be used on CubeSats due to volume, weight, and cost restrictions.

This work builds upon PyCubed, a radiation-tolerant …

An Evaluation Of Potential Compute Platforms For Picosatellites, Ofir Cohen, Sivan Toledo

Small Satellite Conference

What compute platform should picosatellites use? CubeSats, classified as nanosatellites, are transitioning from microcontrollers that cannot run modern operating systems and modern programming environments to Linux-capable compute platforms. As electronics continue to shrink, picosatellite missions are likely to become more common, perhaps using the PocketQube standard. This paper characterizes the requirements that compute platforms for picosatellites should satisfy and analyzes in detail 4 potential platforms. We show that suitable hardware does exist, but that it is not yet supported well enough to allow small teams to use it in satellites or other specialized sensor nodes.

Cubesat Radiation Hardness Assurance Beyond Total Dose: Evaluating Single Event Effects, Braden Oh, Celvi Lisy, Gia-Uyen Tran, Whitney Lohmeyer, Michael Campola, Scott Palo

Small Satellite Conference

Radiation poses known and serious risks to smallsat survivability and mission duration, with effects falling into two categories: long-term total ionizing dose (TID) and instantaneous single event effects (SEE). Although literature exists on the topic of addressing TID in smallsats, few resources exist for addressing SEEs. Many varieties of SEEs exist, such as bit upsets and latch ups, which can occur in any electronic component containing active semiconductors (such as transistors). SEE consequences range from benign to destructive, so mission reliability can be enhanced by implementing fault protection strategies based on predicted SEE rates. Unfortunately, SEE rates are most reliably …

Co-Operating Systems: A Technical Overview Of Multiple Onboard Operating Systems, Cameron Bonesteel, Evan Tichenor, Eric Miller, Andres Rodriguez

Small Satellite Conference

The Multiview Onboard Computational Imager (MOCI) built by the University of Georgia’s Small Satellite Research Lab (SSRL) will be one of the first small satellites to include a small form factor graphics processing unit (GPU), the NVIDIA TX2i, in its design and therefore includes three onboard computers that will need to coordinate and interchange data to successfully complete the mission. The Onboard Computer (OBC), standard for most satellite systems, will coordinate most system controls. The GPU serves as the onboard payload manager and bulk data processor and coordinates with the attitude determination and control system (ADCS) to collect all necessary …

Evaluating Network Performance Of Containerized Test Framework For Distributed Space Systems, Walter Vaughan, Alan George, Brian Kempa, Daniel Cellucci, Nicholas Cramer

Small Satellite Conference

Distributed space systems are a mission architecture consisting of multiple spacecraft as a cohesive system which provide multipoint sampling, increased mission coverage, or improved sample resolution, while reducing mission risk through redundancy. To fully realize the potential of these systems, eventually scaling to hundreds or thousands of spacecraft, distributed space systems need to be operated as a single entity, which will enable a variety of novel scientific space missions. The Distributed Spacecraft Autonomy (DSA) project is a software project which aims to mature the technology needed for those systems, namely autonomous decision-making and swarm networking. The DSA project leverages a …

Lunarwsn Node - A Wireless Sensor Network Node Designed For In-Situ Lunar Water Ice Detection, Fangzheng Liu, Ariel Ekblaw, Joseph Paradiso

Small Satellite Conference

In this paper, we present a fully functional cubic sensor node prototype designed to be ballistically deployed from a rover or lander to regions of interest that might be unsafe or impractical for rovers or landers to reach. Unlike helicopters or drones, this system can be deployed in airless environments. Crucially, the nodes are equipped with wireless ranging and wireless communications capabilities, such that each node can be localized by leveraging wireless ranging with triangulation, and a cluster of deployed nodes form an expandable WSN (Wireless Sensor Network), that we term LunarWSN. The hardware redundancy of the network can reduce …