Session
Technical Session VII: Spacecraft Systems and Standards
Abstract
Accurate orbit lifetime assessment is necessary to support satellite mission design, concepts-of-operation, and post-mission debris mitigation strategies. Because of their standardized form factors, the 47 CubeSats placed in orbit since 2003 provide a unique opportunity to study the accuracy of such orbit lifetime techniques in a controlled manner. In this study we examine CubeSat assessments for both IADC and ISO standards compliance and actual orbital decay estimation compared to empirical Space Surveillance Network observations.
Presentation Slides
An Evaluation of CubeSat Orbital Decay
Accurate orbit lifetime assessment is necessary to support satellite mission design, concepts-of-operation, and post-mission debris mitigation strategies. Because of their standardized form factors, the 47 CubeSats placed in orbit since 2003 provide a unique opportunity to study the accuracy of such orbit lifetime techniques in a controlled manner. In this study we examine CubeSat assessments for both IADC and ISO standards compliance and actual orbital decay estimation compared to empirical Space Surveillance Network observations.
