Open Access
Interplanetary CubeSats: Opening the Solar System to a Broad Community at Lower Cost
Robert L. Staehle,Diana L. Blaney,Hamid Hemmati,Martin W. Lo,Pantazis Mouroulis,Paula J. Pingree,Thor Wilson,Jordi Puig-Suari,Austin Williams,Bruce Betts,Louis Friedman,T. Svitek +11 more
- Vol. 2, Iss: 1, pp 161-186
TLDR
The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program in 2011 selected Interplanetary CubeSats for further investigation, some results of which are reported here for Phase 1 as discussed by the authors.Abstract:
Interplanetary CubeSats could enable small, low-cost missions beyond low Earth orbit. This class is defined by mass < ~ 10 kg, cost < $30 M, and durations up to 5 years. Over the coming decade, a stretch of each of six distinct technology areas, creating one overarching architecture, could enable comparatively low-cost Solar System exploration missions with capabilities far beyond those demonstrated in small satellites to date. The six technology areas are: (1) CubeSat electronics and subsystems extended to operate in the interplanetary environment, especially radiation and duration of operation; (2) Optical telecommunications to enable very small, low-power uplink/downlink over interplanetary distances; (3) Solar sail propulsion to enable high !V maneuvering using no propellant; (4) Navigation of the Interplanetary Superhighway to enable multiple destinations over reasonable mission durations using achievable !V; (5) Small, highly capable instrumentation enabling acquisition of high-quality scientific and exploration information; and (6) Onboard storage and processing of raw instrument data and navigation information to enable maximum utility of uplink and downlink telecom capacity, and minimal operations staffing. The NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program in 2011 selected Interplanetary CubeSats for further investigation, some results of which are reported here for Phase 1.read more
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Recent progress and perspectives of space electric propulsion systems based on smart nanomaterials.
Igor Levchenko,Igor Levchenko,S. Xu,George Teel,Davide Mariotti,Mitchell L. R. Walker,Michael Keidar +6 more
TL;DR: This review examines the cutting edge and discusses the opportunities for integration of nanomaterials into the most advanced types of electric propulsion devices that take advantage of their unique features and boost their efficiency and service life.
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Electric Propulsion Methods for Small Satellites: A Review
TL;DR: Electrostatic, electrothermal and electromagnetic propulsion methods based on state of the art research and the current knowledge base are reviewed, placing emphasis on space propulsion systems that are electric and enable interplanetary missions.
Journal ArticleDOI
Energy Storage Technologies for Small Satellite Applications
Keith B. Chin,Erik J. Brandon,Ratnakumar V. Bugga,Marshall C. Smart,Simon C. Jones,Frederick C. Krause,William C. West,Gary Bolotin +7 more
TL;DR: This paper will provide a general review of performance capabilities of state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery technologies, as well as other advanced energy storage systems for small satellite applications.
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Verification of a CubeSat via hardware-in-the-loop simulation
Sabrina Corpino,Fabrizio Stesina +1 more
TL;DR: The hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation methodology used for the verification of functional requirements of e-st @r-I CubeSat is described, and the results obtained are consistent with the expected values in any operative conditions.
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Student Expectations from Participating in a Small Spacecraft Development Program
Jeremy Straub,David Whalen +1 more
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyze the reasons for the growth in small spacecraft development programs by assessing what student participants hope to gain from their participation. But, they do not consider the impact of their participation on the development process.
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