Integration and Test of the Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) CubeSat
Session
Session 8: Instruments/Science 1
Abstract
The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) Mission is a 3U CubeSat mission developed for NASA ESTO by MIT and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. MiRaTA aims to increase the quality and temporal coverage of Earth atmospheric microwave sounding measurements while leveraging the low costs associated with the CubeSat form factor. Microwave radiometry is a significant contributor to weather and climate monitoring programs, but the typical sun-synchronous orbits of radiometers' host satellites limit revisit times. Another complication for microwave radiometers on meteorological satellites is the difficulty in achieving reliable ground calibration of brightness temperature measurements because internal calibration targets are subject to on-orbit variability that is difficult to model on the ground. MiRaTA will perform multi-channel radiometry over three frequency bands at 52-58 GHz, 175-191 GHz, and 206-208 GHz to measure temperature, water vapor, and cloud ice. MiRaTA also hosts the Compact Total Electron Count (TEC) / Atmospheric GPS sensor (CTAGS), a GPS Radio Occultation (GPSRO) system based on a modified off-the-shelf GPS receiver and a purpose-built patch antenna array. MiRaTA will use CTAGS to demonstrate radiometer calibration using an internal noise diode and co-located GPSRO measurements. By doing so, it will avoid using an expensive and bulky internal calibration targets commonly used for microwave radiometry. The MiRaTA CubeSat has completed integration and environmental testing, and is awaiting launch as part of the ELaNa XIV in 2017 with the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1). All tests have been completed, including both self-imposed tests as well as tests required by the launch service provider. A payload thermal vacuum test was conducted involving a spinning payload with a cold blackbody target and a hot blackbody target to confirm proper functioning of the MiRaTA radiometer. Results indicate that the calibration accuracy for seven V-band channels and four G-band channels is within task readiness level advancement requirements; however, one channel for the G-band experiences higher noise than expected. Additionally, the CTAGS unit was verified to work with the integrated spacecraft. Results are also presented on the accuracy of thermal model predictions found by comparing the model to measured temperatures during the thermal vacuum. In addition to a detailed update on the integration and test process with lessons learned, we also discuss development of the ground station, over-the-air communications testing, data processing and distribution plans, and operational plans for the projected late-summer launch of MiRaTA. The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) Mission is a 3U CubeSat mission developed for NASA ESTO by MIT and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. MiRaTA aims to increase the quality and temporal coverage of Earth atmospheric microwave sounding measurements while leveraging the low costs associated with the CubeSat form factor. Microwave radiometry is a significant contributor to weather and climate monitoring programs, but the typical sun-synchronous orbits of radiometers' host satellites limit revisit times. Another complication for microwave radiometers on meteorological satellites is the difficulty in achieving reliable ground calibration of brightness temperature measurements because internal calibration targets are subject to on-orbit variability that is difficult to model on the ground. MiRaTA will perform multi-channel radiometry over three frequency bands at 52-58 GHz, 175-191 GHz, and 206-208 GHz to measure temperature, water vapor, and cloud ice. MiRaTA also hosts the Compact Total Electron Count (TEC) / Atmospheric GPS sensor (CTAGS), a GPS Radio Occultation (GPSRO) system based on a modified off-the-shelf GPS receiver and a purpose-built patch antenna array. MiRaTA will use CTAGS to demonstrate radiometer calibration using an internal noise diode and co-located GPSRO measurements. By doing so, it will avoid using an expensive and bulky internal calibration targets commonly used for microwave radiometry. The MiRaTA CubeSat has completed integration and environmental testing, and is awaiting launch as part of the ELaNa XIV in 2017 with the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1). All tests have been completed, including both self-imposed tests as well as tests required by the launch service provider. A payload thermal vacuum test was conducted involving a spinning payload with a cold blackbody target and a hot blackbody target to confirm proper functioning of the MiRaTA radiometer. Results indicate that the calibration accuracy for seven V-band channels and four G-band channels is within task readiness level advancement requirements; however, one channel for the G-band experiences higher noise than expected. Additionally, the CTAGS unit was verified to work with the integrated spacecraft. Results are also presented on the accuracy of thermal model predictions found by comparing the model to measured temperatures during the thermal vacuum. In addition to a detailed update on the integration and test process with lessons learned, we also discuss development of the ground station, over-the-air communications testing, data processing and distribution plans, and operational plans for the projected late-summer launch of MiRaTA.
Presentation
Integration and Test of the Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) CubeSat
The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) Mission is a 3U CubeSat mission developed for NASA ESTO by MIT and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. MiRaTA aims to increase the quality and temporal coverage of Earth atmospheric microwave sounding measurements while leveraging the low costs associated with the CubeSat form factor. Microwave radiometry is a significant contributor to weather and climate monitoring programs, but the typical sun-synchronous orbits of radiometers' host satellites limit revisit times. Another complication for microwave radiometers on meteorological satellites is the difficulty in achieving reliable ground calibration of brightness temperature measurements because internal calibration targets are subject to on-orbit variability that is difficult to model on the ground. MiRaTA will perform multi-channel radiometry over three frequency bands at 52-58 GHz, 175-191 GHz, and 206-208 GHz to measure temperature, water vapor, and cloud ice. MiRaTA also hosts the Compact Total Electron Count (TEC) / Atmospheric GPS sensor (CTAGS), a GPS Radio Occultation (GPSRO) system based on a modified off-the-shelf GPS receiver and a purpose-built patch antenna array. MiRaTA will use CTAGS to demonstrate radiometer calibration using an internal noise diode and co-located GPSRO measurements. By doing so, it will avoid using an expensive and bulky internal calibration targets commonly used for microwave radiometry. The MiRaTA CubeSat has completed integration and environmental testing, and is awaiting launch as part of the ELaNa XIV in 2017 with the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1). All tests have been completed, including both self-imposed tests as well as tests required by the launch service provider. A payload thermal vacuum test was conducted involving a spinning payload with a cold blackbody target and a hot blackbody target to confirm proper functioning of the MiRaTA radiometer. Results indicate that the calibration accuracy for seven V-band channels and four G-band channels is within task readiness level advancement requirements; however, one channel for the G-band experiences higher noise than expected. Additionally, the CTAGS unit was verified to work with the integrated spacecraft. Results are also presented on the accuracy of thermal model predictions found by comparing the model to measured temperatures during the thermal vacuum. In addition to a detailed update on the integration and test process with lessons learned, we also discuss development of the ground station, over-the-air communications testing, data processing and distribution plans, and operational plans for the projected late-summer launch of MiRaTA. The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) Mission is a 3U CubeSat mission developed for NASA ESTO by MIT and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. MiRaTA aims to increase the quality and temporal coverage of Earth atmospheric microwave sounding measurements while leveraging the low costs associated with the CubeSat form factor. Microwave radiometry is a significant contributor to weather and climate monitoring programs, but the typical sun-synchronous orbits of radiometers' host satellites limit revisit times. Another complication for microwave radiometers on meteorological satellites is the difficulty in achieving reliable ground calibration of brightness temperature measurements because internal calibration targets are subject to on-orbit variability that is difficult to model on the ground. MiRaTA will perform multi-channel radiometry over three frequency bands at 52-58 GHz, 175-191 GHz, and 206-208 GHz to measure temperature, water vapor, and cloud ice. MiRaTA also hosts the Compact Total Electron Count (TEC) / Atmospheric GPS sensor (CTAGS), a GPS Radio Occultation (GPSRO) system based on a modified off-the-shelf GPS receiver and a purpose-built patch antenna array. MiRaTA will use CTAGS to demonstrate radiometer calibration using an internal noise diode and co-located GPSRO measurements. By doing so, it will avoid using an expensive and bulky internal calibration targets commonly used for microwave radiometry. The MiRaTA CubeSat has completed integration and environmental testing, and is awaiting launch as part of the ELaNa XIV in 2017 with the Joint Polar Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1). All tests have been completed, including both self-imposed tests as well as tests required by the launch service provider. A payload thermal vacuum test was conducted involving a spinning payload with a cold blackbody target and a hot blackbody target to confirm proper functioning of the MiRaTA radiometer. Results indicate that the calibration accuracy for seven V-band channels and four G-band channels is within task readiness level advancement requirements; however, one channel for the G-band experiences higher noise than expected. Additionally, the CTAGS unit was verified to work with the integrated spacecraft. Results are also presented on the accuracy of thermal model predictions found by comparing the model to measured temperatures during the thermal vacuum. In addition to a detailed update on the integration and test process with lessons learned, we also discuss development of the ground station, over-the-air communications testing, data processing and distribution plans, and operational plans for the projected late-summer launch of MiRaTA.
