2009:092 MASTER'S THESIS Nanosat / Cubesat constellation concepts Alexandru Catalin Munteanu Luleå University of Technology Master Thesis, Continuation Courses Space Science and Technology Department of Space Science, Kiruna 2009:092 - ISSN: 1653-0187 - ISRN: LTU-PB-EX--09/092--SE CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY ALEXANDRU CATALIN MUNTEANU NANOSAT / CUBESAT CONSTELLATION CONCEPTS SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc. THESIS Academic year: 2008 – 2009 Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Hobbs June 2009 CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING Astronautics and Space Engineering MSc THESIS Academic Year 2008 – 2009 ALEXANDRU CATALIN MUNTEANU Nanosat / Cubesat Constellation Concepts Supervisor: Dr. Stephen Hobbs June 2009 This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science © Cranfield University 2009. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the copyright owner. Alexandru Munteanu ABSTRACT This thesis was produced at Cranfield University, with support from EADS Astrium who introduced the base requirements for the study. The subject to be researched was the possibility of using Cubesats for producing viable Earth Observation missions when they would be used in some constellation configuration. The project involved surveying nanosat / Cubesat constellation markets and concepts (e.g. real-time data) for Earth Observation, using new / enabling technologies (i.e. deployable membranes, quad junction cells, miniature instruments). The project also contributes to the Cubesat projects by providing a roadmap of possible future missions enabled by advanced Cubesats. The study concluded by selecting a present day possible mission which could be developed by using COTS components and space-proved instruments and some missions which could be developed in the near future using other new technologies yet to be made available for space applications. Some simulations of the possible missions were performed in order to determine the best configurations and results are presented in the discussion and conclusion chapters. Alexandru Munteanu ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank to my supervisor Dr. Stephen Hobbs, for his constant support and the provided indications, and to my contact person at EADS Astrium, Steven Eckersly for his suggestions in approaching this subject. Last, but not least I would like to thank my family for all the direct and indirect support they have always given me. i Alexandru Munteanu LIST OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. i LIST OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................................... ii LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... v LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................... vi NOTATION .................................................................................................................... vi 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Project Overview ............................................................................................... 1 1.2. Rationale ............................................................................................................ 1 1.3. Objectives .......................................................................................................... 2 1.4. Literature review ................................................................................................ 2 1.5. Report outline .................................................................................................... 3 2. CUBESATS CURRENT STATUS .......................................................................... 4 2.1. Cubesats introductory discussion ....................................................................... 4 2.2. Past launches and missions ................................................................................ 5 2.3. Payloads Discussion .......................................................................................... 9 2.4. Hardware review – Mechanical System .......................................................... 10 2.4.1. Structure Introductory Discussion ................................................................ 10 2.4.2. ISIS Structures ............................................................................................. 12 2.4.3. Pumpkin Structure ........................................................................................ 13 2.4.4. Launching Systems ...................................................................................... 14 2.4.4.1. P-POD by Pumpkin Inc. .......................................................................... 14 2.4.4.2. ISIPOD by ISIS ....................................................................................... 15 2.4.4.3. T-POD by Tokyo University ................................................................... 15 2.4.4.4. CSS (CUTE Separation System) by Tokyo Institute of Technology ....... 15 2.4.4.5. X-POD (eXperimental Push Out Deployer) ............................................. 15 2.4.5. What the future holds for Cubesat structures ............................................... 16 2.5. Hardware review - Power System ................................................................... 17 2.5.1. General Discussion ....................................................................................... 17 2.5.2. Solar Cells by Clyde Space ........................................................................ 19 2.5.3. Other Cubesat Manufacturers: Pumpkin, Inc.ISIS, GOMSpace, and STRAS SPACE 20 2.5.4. What the future holds for solar cells ............................................................ 20 2.5.5. Batteries by Clyde Space ............................................................................. 21 2.5.6. Other Cubesat Manufacturers: Pumpkin Inc., ISIS, GOMSpace, and Stras- Space 23 2.5.7. What the future holds for batteries ............................................................... 23 2.5.8. Integrated Electrical Power Subsystems by Clyde-Space ............................ 24 2.5.9. Integrated Electrical Power Subsystems by Gom-Space ............................. 25 2.5.10. Integrated Electrical Power Subsystems by ISIS ..................................... 26 ii Alexandru Munteanu 2.6. Hardware review: Command and Data Handling System ............................... 26 2.6.1. General Discussion ....................................................................................... 26 2.6.2. Data Handling Hardware Introduction ......................................................... 27 2.6.3. GomSpace Data Handling Hardware ........................................................... 27 2.6.4. Pumpkin Inc. and Clyde-Space Data Handling Hardware ........................... 28 2.6.5. ISIS Data Handling Hardware ..................................................................... 29 2.6.6. SSDL (Stanford University) Data Handling Hardware................................ 29 2.6.7. What the future holds for Data Handling Hardware .................................... 30 2.6.8. Data Storage Hardware (secondary storage) ................................................ 31 2.6.9. Software Introduction ................................................................................... 32 2.6.10. Pumpkin Inc Software Solution ................................................................ 32 2.6.11. Data Compression .................................................................................... 33 2.7. Hardware Review – The Attitude Determination and Control System ........... 34 2.7.1. ADCS introductory discussion ..................................................................... 34 2.7.2. Attitude Sensors Introductory Discussion .................................................... 35 2.7.3. ISIS Attitude Sensors ................................................................................... 35 2.7.4. Clyde-Space and Pumpkin Inc. Attitude Systems ........................................ 36 2.7.4.1. ADCS for the Cubesat Kit ........................................................................ 36 2.7.4.2. ADACS Interface Module ........................................................................ 37 2.7.5. Tethers Unlimited ADCS sensors unit ......................................................... 37 2.7.6. GPS Receivers and other sensors ................................................................. 38 2.7.7. Stras- Space Actuators ................................................................................. 38 2.7.8. ISIS Passive Magnetic Attitude Stabilization System ................................. 39 2.8. Hardware Review - Propulsion Systems.......................................................... 40 2.8.1. Introductory discussion - NANOPS ............................................................. 40 2.8.2. Other propulsion systems ............................................................................. 41 2.9. Hardware Review - Communication System ................................................... 43 2.9.1. General Discussion ....................................................................................... 43 2.9.1.1.