All 2015 Content
Session
Technical Session XII: Science/Mission Payloads
Abstract
Radar altimeters such as TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-2 measure the sea surface height as well as wave height and wind speed, providing key information about the ocean. The U.S. Navy previously launched the Geodesic Satellite (GEOSAT) and the GEOSAT Follow On (GFO), and has considered developing other missions. Small and micro satellite designs have been proposed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Surrey Space Center and Thales Alenia Space. A 6U CubeSat concept was proposed by Australia’s Defense Science and Technology Organization4. The Navy invested in a Small Business Innovative Research effort to develop a radar altimeter payload for a 3-unit CubeSat5. Radar altimetry data feeds various ocean models to predict large scale currents and other phenomenon. These ocean models have been custom built to account for the specifications of each altimetry satellite. While nanosats may be capable of radar altimetry, it is likely they will not provide the same level of accuracy as larger satellites. The impact of less accurate data on ocean modeling must be understood prior to investing in a micro or nanosatellite radar altimetry mission. In January 2015, Program Executive Office Space Systems, the Space and Naval Warfare Command’s Systems Center Pacific and the Naval Research Laboratory began a study to evaluate the impact of nanosatellites on ocean modeling. The accuracy of a possible 6U radar altimetry design was estimated. The resulting performance of an ocean model was characterized. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of the mission was examined. This paper summarizes the results of the study.
Nanosats for Radar Altimetry
Radar altimeters such as TOPEX/Poseidon and Jason-2 measure the sea surface height as well as wave height and wind speed, providing key information about the ocean. The U.S. Navy previously launched the Geodesic Satellite (GEOSAT) and the GEOSAT Follow On (GFO), and has considered developing other missions. Small and micro satellite designs have been proposed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Surrey Space Center and Thales Alenia Space. A 6U CubeSat concept was proposed by Australia’s Defense Science and Technology Organization4. The Navy invested in a Small Business Innovative Research effort to develop a radar altimeter payload for a 3-unit CubeSat5. Radar altimetry data feeds various ocean models to predict large scale currents and other phenomenon. These ocean models have been custom built to account for the specifications of each altimetry satellite. While nanosats may be capable of radar altimetry, it is likely they will not provide the same level of accuracy as larger satellites. The impact of less accurate data on ocean modeling must be understood prior to investing in a micro or nanosatellite radar altimetry mission. In January 2015, Program Executive Office Space Systems, the Space and Naval Warfare Command’s Systems Center Pacific and the Naval Research Laboratory began a study to evaluate the impact of nanosatellites on ocean modeling. The accuracy of a possible 6U radar altimetry design was estimated. The resulting performance of an ocean model was characterized. Finally, the cost-effectiveness of the mission was examined. This paper summarizes the results of the study.
