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Past Conference Papers:
Cubesats
| Paper Number RS6-2008-2006: CubeSat-Based Disaster Detection and Monitoring Systems | |
| Justin M. Akagi (University of Hawaii), Tyler N. Tamashiro (University of Hawaii), Reece T. Iwami (University of Hawaii), Jason T. Akagi (University of Hawaii), Wayne A. Shiroma (University of Hawaii), Joseph M. Cardenas (Oceanit Laboratories) | |
| View/Download:Presentation | Paper | |
| Abstract: The most critical element in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, natural disaster, or other large-scale emergency is for response teams to establish rapid, accurate, and consistent situational assessment. Terrestrial-based sensing and communication systems are infeasible in these situations, as they are often the target or are compromised in these attacks or disasters. An attractive solution is a small-satellite surveillance and tracking network that is autonomous, reconfigurable, redundant, and readily deployable. Due to their small size and weight, launching a network of these satellites is more cost-efficient than launching one large satellite. To provide image surveillance in the case of an emergency or crisis, the University of Hawaii Small Satellite Program developed a 1.5U CubeSat outfitted with a COTS camera, global positioning system (GPS) unit, and inertial measurement unit (IMU). The GPS unit and IMU tags the image acquired by the camera with its location and pointing coordinates. By utilizing a network of satellites, multiple images can then be stitched together to form a detailed view of the crisis area. In addition to the COTS-based imaging system, the satellite bus platform utilizes a number of COTS subassemblies (i.e., S-band transceiver and Linux-based microcontroller) and structure designed to fit the CalPoly San Luis Obispo P-POD form factor. This design approach enabled an 11-member student team (9 undergraduates, 2 graduates) to design, fabricate and demonstrate the satellite in a nine-month timeframe. Continued efforts of this program include developing standardized bus interfaces to allow independent development of subsystem modules. This approach will produce ready-made plug-and-play avionics modules that can be combined on a customizable bus platform, based on mission-dependent payload requirements. By focusing our efforts on this approach, we can expect a considerably shorter timeframe for demonstrating an integrated satellite system. | |
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| Paper Number RS6-2008-4006: Standardization Promotes Flexibility: A Review of CubeSats’ Success | |
| Alexander Chin (California Polytechnic State University), Roland Coelho (California Polytechnic State University), Lori Brooks (California Polytechnic State University), Ryan Nugent (California Polytechnic State University), Puig-Suari (California Polytechnic State University) | |
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| Abstract: This paper will focus on the continuing development of the Poly Pico-satellite Orbital Deployer or P-POD, and its leading role in standardizing CubeSat satellite development. The paper will reflect on past mission successes and look to the future capability and promise of larger standards for access to space. Cal Poly’s role on the standardization of CubeSats through the P-POD will be explained. The initial creation of the P-POD was driven by the need for consistency in pico-satellite development. The P-POD protects the launch vehicle and the primary payload as well as the CubeSats, and is compatible with many launch vehicles, making integration repeatable and cost-efficient. The P-POD can accommodate pico-satellites as long as they meet the 1kg and10x10x10cm dimensional CubeSat standard. Mass producing a stock deployment device creates reliability in flight heritage and decreases design, manufacturing and testing costs. The P-POD provides a framework for developers to design around, and enforces adherence to the CubeSat specification. In turn, the P-POD is designed with the capability to integrate onto multiple launch vehicles. The advantages of this system are most evident in creating flexibility for CubeSat developers to launch on multiple rockets as secondary payloads. Since most satellite manufacturers must coordinate directly with the launch vehicle provider, CubeSats can find it difficult to find launches as secondary payloads. The P-POD can group multiple CubeSats to provide a competitive basis for launch as a viable secondary payload. This has allowed CubeSat developers to develop their system without a preset launch. A review of the P-POD flights over the past 5 years, and an outline of future launches consistently show the value of regulations and the benefits of flexibility. One of the main keys to the success of the CubeSat Program has been its strict adherence to the initial standard. Cal Poly, NASA Ames, and other organizations are looking to incorporate similar standards to larger satellites in an effort to bring low-cost access to space for a wider range of spacecraft. These efforts will utilize the efficiency of the P-POD and will incorporate outside influence in developing future standards. CubeSats provide a unique flexibility in the aerospace industry opening up quicker and cheaper mission opportunities than ever before. In addition, the research at the CubeSat level offers a unique paradigm shift in design operations. This means that the structure and hardware are designed first, while software development comes second. Ultimately missions can focus on meeting the standard and developing satellites and not on launch logistics and integration. | |
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| Paper Number RS7-2009-3010: Nanosatellite Tracking Ships: Responsive, Seven-Month Nanosatellite Construction for a Rapid On-Orbit Automatic Identification System Experiment
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| Freddy Pranajaya (Space Flight Laboratory), Robert E. Zee (Space Flight Laboratory), Jeff Cain (COM DEV Limited), Richard Kolacz (COM DEV Limited) | |
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| Abstract: The Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies and COM DEV Ltd have developed a low Earth orbit nanosatellite in less than seven months to perform rapid turnaround experiments in space to detect and study Automatic Indentification System (AIS) signals transmitted by maritime vessels. The satellite, known as "Nanosatellite Tracking Ships" (NTS) leverages both SFL's CanX-2 nanosatellite technology and Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB) mechanical design to house a custom AIS receiver payload developed by COM DEV Ltd. NTS was developed under an extremely tight schedule, with on-orbit results required within a year from contract start. NTS have successfully met all of its mission objectives and continues to operate in orbit. This paper outlines how SFL and COM DEV were able to rapidly design, construct and deploy a custom satellite to respond to the opportunity to bring on-orbit AIS detection services to the international community. | |
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| Paper Number RS7-2009-4003: CubeFlow A Modular Open Systems Architecture for CubeSats | |
| Christopher McNutt (University of Southern California), James Lyke (Air Force Research Laboratory) | |
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| Abstract: This paper will focus on the Under sponsorship by the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) office, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) developed a modular nanosatellite approach where hardware and software "black-box" elements can be combined very quickly (possibly less than an hour) to form simple, but functional spacecraft. They are fully compliant with the Stanford/CalPoly CubeSat and Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Dispenser (P-Pod) standards, but extend these standards by permitting interchangeability of components. As such, distributed groups can create individual component parts that can be brought together and quickly assembled using plug-and-play (PnP) mechanisms, similar to those in personal computers. The basis of the electrical and software infrastructure is the AFRL Space PnP Avionics (SPA) technology, scaled for nanosatellite purposes. Reuse and competitive implementations are promoted, making it possible to choose the best components from many prospective providers. It is envisioned that a secure web-based design system will provide an effective medium for developing design configurations and coordinating the offerings of a community of component developers. As such, the combination of the CubeSat format, plug-and-play components, and workflow-oriented tools is termed "CubeFlow". Three concept CubeFlow hardware protoypes (one 1U and two 2U CubeSat form factors) were demonstrated, each having fully functional plug-and-play networks and interchangeable components. While some technical challenges remain in fully maturing the CubeFlow concept (such as miniaturization of the plug-and-play interfaces), it is expected that most elements of a CubeFlow system can be available for general use within two years. Before that, AFRL will provide training kits containing the essential CubeFlow elements to permit interested participants early opportunities for developing compatible CubeFlow bus and payload elements. | |
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| Paper Number RS7-2009-4004: A Novel Spacecraft Standard for a Modular Nonsatellite Bus in an Operationally Responsive Space Environment
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| David Voss (Boston University) | |
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| Abstract: A truly modular satellite design must be approached from a systems perspective in order to meet the Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) community’s goal of a rapidly responsive spacecraft. In such a design approach, the modular mechanical bus system must complement a modular data bus system. Through the University Nanosatellite V competition, Boston University and Taylor University have built a comprehensive nanosatellite bus where each subsystem has followed a standardized electrical and mechanical interface. This standard is based off of the CubeSat concept but expanded to nanosatellites. It allows for instrument and subsystem designers to know the mechanical and electrical interfaces their instruments or subsystem must conform to prior to a mission, providing for ease of reuse for subsequent missions. Examples from the recently constructed Boston University Student Satellite for Application and Training (BUSAT) are given to illustrate the proposed standard and its capability for a rapid response. | |
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| Paper Number RS7-2009-6005: Nanosatellite Tracking of Ships — Review of the First Year of Operations | |
| Franz Newland (COM DEV Ltd), Elliott Coleshill (COM DEV Ltd), Ian DSouza (COM DEV Ltd), Jeff Cain (COM DEV Ltd) | |
| View/Download:Presentation | Paper | |
| Abstract: The COM DEV Nanosatellite Tracking of Ships (NTS) mission has now been operating successfully for 7 months, exceeding its life requirement of one-month and even the goal of 6-months. The spacecraft was launched at the end of April 2008 following an unprecedented 8-month kick-off to launch cycle. NTS is still producing valuable results from its Automated Identification System (AIS) payload, designed to collect messages from maritime vessels around the globe. The mission has given COM DEV unique insight into the potential for collecting AIS signals from space and has demonstrated the superior performance of COM DEV’s AIS payload in addressing some of the difficulties of AIS message detection from space. With the success of the spacecraft, the objectives for the mission have been extended beyond the initial demonstration of the potential for collecting AIS messages from space. Even with its limited functionality, NTS payload has succeeded in collecting AIS data from all parts of the globe and is now being used to test the payload design envelope to optimise future payload design. Within the equivalent of just over 45 minutes of cumulative payload operation, NTS has collected messages from an estimated 1/7th of the world’s shipping population equipped with AIS transmitters. Having demonstrated responsive spacecraft development during the NTS design and build cycle, the past 7 months have demonstrated a number of responsive operations activities by COM DEV and its contractors, including supporting collaborative experiments with sensor suites from other missions. Results have exceeded expectations to the point that operations have been extended indefinitely, and have been enhanced through an additional low-cost ground station built in collaboration with the University of Aalborg in Denmark. This ground station allows faster data turnaround from the satellite and supplements the existing station operated by the University of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies’ Space Flight Laboratory (UTIAS/SFL). The development of an additional ground station for NTS within a very limited budget has been possible through university collaboration and reuse of existing assets, both important elements in commercially responsive space activities. This paper presents the results of the NTS mission to date and how the mission has been extended to meet other objectives. Having been developed as a highly responsive mission, NTS has very successfully demonstrated the operational utility and capabilities of responsive space over the past 7 months, and the operational flexibility that is still achievable with such missions. The paper also discusses the ongoing operations activities for NTS, and the impact of NTS on future AIS missions including the upcoming Defence Research and Development Canada / Canadian Space Agency (DRDC/CSA) sponsored M3MSat microsatellite mission intended for launch in 2010. | |
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