Session
Technical Session III: Small Satellites - Structures, Materials, and Processes
Abstract
Small satellites are expected to play an increasingly important role in the flight of space experiments in the post-Challenger era. This paper describes a telescience vapor crystal growth experiment using a small standardized satellite carrier launched into low earth orbit. Scenarios are presented in which crystal growth experiments using a transparent furnace can operate from 8 hours at 900° C up to 48 hours at 125°C. This is followed by an 89 hour period during which the battery is slowly recharged from solar cells mounted on the satellite carrier. Tracking, telemetry, command, and monitoring requirements can be met by utilizing existing technology. A small reentry vehicle is required for sample return. It is concluded that sample temperature and experiment duration are constrained by battery capacity which is mass limited, but that meaningful vapor crystal growth science results can be obtained using small satellites if a small sample return vehicle is developed.
Telescience Vapor Crystal Growth Using Small Satellites
Small satellites are expected to play an increasingly important role in the flight of space experiments in the post-Challenger era. This paper describes a telescience vapor crystal growth experiment using a small standardized satellite carrier launched into low earth orbit. Scenarios are presented in which crystal growth experiments using a transparent furnace can operate from 8 hours at 900° C up to 48 hours at 125°C. This is followed by an 89 hour period during which the battery is slowly recharged from solar cells mounted on the satellite carrier. Tracking, telemetry, command, and monitoring requirements can be met by utilizing existing technology. A small reentry vehicle is required for sample return. It is concluded that sample temperature and experiment duration are constrained by battery capacity which is mass limited, but that meaningful vapor crystal growth science results can be obtained using small satellites if a small sample return vehicle is developed.
