Cost analysis methodology for high-performance small satellites: small satellite cost study

1993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert L. Abramson ◽  
David A. Bearden
Keyword(s):  
Cost Analysis ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Cost Study ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Analysis Methodology

scholarly journals Improving the Measurement Quality of Small Satellite Star Trackers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Dzamba
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Calibration Procedure ◽  
Detection Performance ◽  
Star Tracker ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf ◽  
Detector Configurations ◽  
Validation Tests

Recent demand from the small satellite community has led to the development of a new series of star trackers that are specifically designed for small satellites. These units represent substantial improvements in mass, power consumption and cost over traditional star trackers, but suffer slightly in terms of accuracy and availability performance. The primary factors inhibiting their performance are the use of significantly smaller optics, and commercial off the shelf components (COTS). This thesis presents a series of strategies for improving the performance of small satellite star trackers (SSSTs). These goals are realized through the development of offline calibration procedures, flight software, validation tests, and optical trade studies to guide future development. This thesis begins with the development of a target-based focusing procedure that enables precision control over the focus of the sensor optics. This improves the detection performance for dim stars, and ultimately increases the availability of the attitude solution. Flight software is developed to compensate for the effects of electronic rolling shutters, which reside on most COTS image detectors. Combined with a developed camera calibration procedure, these tools reduce the uncertainty with which a star tracker can measure the direction vectors to stars in view, ultimately increasing sensor accuracy. Integrated tests are performed to validate detection performance in dynamic conditions. These tests specifically examine the effect of slew rate on star tracker detection, and availability performance. Lastly, this thesis presents a series of optical trades studies that seek to identify design requirements for high performance SSSTs. The trends in availability and accuracy performance are examined as a function of different lens/detector configurations as well dual/triple-head sensor configurations. Together, these strategies represent tools that aim to improve small satellite star tracker performance and guide future sensor development.

scholarly journals Improving the Measurement Quality of Small Satellite Star Trackers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Dzamba
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Calibration Procedure ◽  
Detection Performance ◽  
Star Tracker ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Commercial Off The Shelf ◽  
Detector Configurations ◽  
Validation Tests

Recent demand from the small satellite community has led to the development of a new series of star trackers that are specifically designed for small satellites. These units represent substantial improvements in mass, power consumption and cost over traditional star trackers, but suffer slightly in terms of accuracy and availability performance. The primary factors inhibiting their performance are the use of significantly smaller optics, and commercial off the shelf components (COTS). This thesis presents a series of strategies for improving the performance of small satellite star trackers (SSSTs). These goals are realized through the development of offline calibration procedures, flight software, validation tests, and optical trade studies to guide future development. This thesis begins with the development of a target-based focusing procedure that enables precision control over the focus of the sensor optics. This improves the detection performance for dim stars, and ultimately increases the availability of the attitude solution. Flight software is developed to compensate for the effects of electronic rolling shutters, which reside on most COTS image detectors. Combined with a developed camera calibration procedure, these tools reduce the uncertainty with which a star tracker can measure the direction vectors to stars in view, ultimately increasing sensor accuracy. Integrated tests are performed to validate detection performance in dynamic conditions. These tests specifically examine the effect of slew rate on star tracker detection, and availability performance. Lastly, this thesis presents a series of optical trades studies that seek to identify design requirements for high performance SSSTs. The trends in availability and accuracy performance are examined as a function of different lens/detector configurations as well dual/triple-head sensor configurations. Together, these strategies represent tools that aim to improve small satellite star tracker performance and guide future sensor development.

scholarly journals Design of a high-stability heterogeneous clock system for small satellites in LEO

GPS Solutions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Damon Van Buren ◽  
Penina Axelrad ◽  
Scott Palo
Keyword(s):  
Low Power ◽  
High Stability ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
System Stability ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Crystal Oscillator ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Clock System ◽  
Wide Range

AbstractWe describe our investigation into the performance of low-power heterogeneous timing systems for small satellites, using real GPS observables from the GRACE Follow-On mission. Small satellites have become capable platforms for a wide range of commercial, scientific and defense missions, but they are still unable to meet the needs of missions that require precise timing, on the order of a few nanoseconds. Improved low-power onboard clocks would make small satellites a viable option for even more missions, enabling radio aperture interferometry, improved radio occultation measurements, high altitude GPS navigation, and GPS augmentation missions, among others. One approach for providing improved small satellite timekeeping is to combine a heterogeneous group of oscillators, each of which provides the best stability over a different time frame. A hardware architecture that uses a single-crystal oscillator, one or more Chip Scale Atomic Clocks (CSACs) and the reference time from a GPS receiver is presented. The clocks each contribute stability over a subset of timeframes, resulting in excellent overall system stability for timeframes ranging from less than a second to several days. A Kalman filter is used to estimate the long-term errors of the CSACs based on the CSAC-GPS time difference, and the improved CSAC time is used to discipline the crystal oscillator, which provides the high-stability reference clock for the small satellite. Simulations using GRACE-FO observations show time error standard deviations for the system range from 2.3 ns down to 1.3 ns for the clock system, depending on how many CSACs are used. The results provide insight into the timing performance which could be achieved on small LEO spacecraft by a low power timing system.

Design and Implementation of a Portable TT&C Test Equipment for Small Satellite

2015 ◽  
Vol 743 ◽  
pp. 816-819
Author(s):  
L.J. Cao ◽  
H. Zeng ◽  
X. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Instrument ◽  
Experimental Validation ◽  
Modular Design ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Test Equipment ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Quick Test ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Instrument Technology

This paper describes the design and implementation of the portable TT&C test equipment for small satellite. Now small satellites propose the idea of a quick test. For meeting requirement of the quick test, portable TT&C test equipment is proposed. The equipment takes full advantage of the current modular design technology, test bus technology, virtual instrument technology etc. It overcomes the disadvantage of traditional test equipment integrated difficulty, which is caused by traditional discrete and variety devices. The equipment has the advantages of scalable, flexible upgrade, compact, portable. After the experimental validation applied in the satellite test, it achieved good results. So it is important for test technological development of small satellite.

Small Satellite Modelling and Three-Axis Magnetorquer-Based Stabilisation Using Fuzzy Logic Control

2012 ◽  
Vol 152-154 ◽  
pp. 1639-1644
Author(s):  
Amirhossein Asadabadi ◽  
Amir M. Anvar
Keyword(s):  
Fuzzy Logic ◽  
Attitude Control ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Control ◽  
Control Method ◽  
Small Satellite ◽  
Electromagnetic Actuation ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Logic Control ◽  
Electromagnetic Coils ◽  
Different Types

Recently small satellites have become increasingly popular because of their ability to provide educational institutes with the chance to design, construct, and test their spacecraft from beginning to the possible launch due to the low launching cost and development of microelectronics (Figure 1). Clearly, using only electromagnetic coils instead of different types of actuators will serve the purpose of weight reduction where every grams counts. But some restrictions described in the paper limit utilising only “Electromagnetic” actuation for 3D stabilisation and adversely affects the efficiency of the controller. However, there are some theories developed recently that have made the aforementioned purpose feasible. In this paper a new control method based on Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) is presented that keeps the satellite in desired conditions only by electromagnetic coils. More precisely, an approach of Fuzzy control which is incorporated with electromagnetic actuation is presented for the in-orbit attitude control of a small satellite. The design is developed to stabilize the spacecraft against disturbances with a three-axis stabilizing capability. The paper also describes the required hardware and the design and development of the magnetic torquers.

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