Session
Technical Session VI: The Year Ahead
Abstract
Small spacecraft technologies and capabilities are evolving to the point where the BILSAT 120kg spacecraft will this year demonstrate capabilities and performance similar to the 320kg UoSAT-12 mission launched in 1999. Over the past few years, the design of small satellites has evolved from simple curiosities to effective, high performance systems, capable of competing with much bigger and much more expensive spacecraft. Within the framework of an agreement between SSTL and TUBITAK-BILTEN (The Information Technologies and Electronics Research Institute), a non-profit government laboratory located in Ankara, Turkey, a Technology Transfer Program was started in August 2001. This program includes the design, manufacture and launch of one Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform, one engineering model for use in Turkey and the training of engineers in all aspects of the spacecraft design. Detailed design began using the Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform as the starting point. The end product that will be launched in the summer of 2003, is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed by SSTL, carrying two advanced payloads developed by TUBITAK-BILTEN. The spacecraft is a highly optimised satellite, with a mass of 120kg and including 14 cameras (in several imager arrangements), a 10m/s class resistojet propulsion system, VHF/UHF and S-band RF systems, tried and tested OBDH units in parallel with newly designed mass data storage and processing units, all this topped by a high performance AODCS subsystem, including two star trackers, GPS receiver (for both orbit and attitude determination), rate gyros, four momentum/reaction wheels, and what will be the first operational use of Control Momentum Gyros on a small spacecraft, to perform high agility manoeuvres. These units will be used to achieve the missions specified for this project, mainly full imaging of Turkey, stereoscopic imaging of selected targets, a Digital Elevation Map of Turkey, and communications. The present paper discusses briefly the technical characteristics of the spacecraft, but focuses on the mission aspects and how the different subsystems (namely the new subsystems and payloads) will be used to accomplish the mission. The operational modes of the spacecraft are discussed and the interaction of the AODCS subsystem with the OBDH and Imaging system is described in detail.
Presentation Slides
BILSAT: Advancing Smallsat Capabilities
Small spacecraft technologies and capabilities are evolving to the point where the BILSAT 120kg spacecraft will this year demonstrate capabilities and performance similar to the 320kg UoSAT-12 mission launched in 1999. Over the past few years, the design of small satellites has evolved from simple curiosities to effective, high performance systems, capable of competing with much bigger and much more expensive spacecraft. Within the framework of an agreement between SSTL and TUBITAK-BILTEN (The Information Technologies and Electronics Research Institute), a non-profit government laboratory located in Ankara, Turkey, a Technology Transfer Program was started in August 2001. This program includes the design, manufacture and launch of one Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform, one engineering model for use in Turkey and the training of engineers in all aspects of the spacecraft design. Detailed design began using the Enhanced SSTL microsatellite platform as the starting point. The end product that will be launched in the summer of 2003, is the most advanced spacecraft ever designed by SSTL, carrying two advanced payloads developed by TUBITAK-BILTEN. The spacecraft is a highly optimised satellite, with a mass of 120kg and including 14 cameras (in several imager arrangements), a 10m/s class resistojet propulsion system, VHF/UHF and S-band RF systems, tried and tested OBDH units in parallel with newly designed mass data storage and processing units, all this topped by a high performance AODCS subsystem, including two star trackers, GPS receiver (for both orbit and attitude determination), rate gyros, four momentum/reaction wheels, and what will be the first operational use of Control Momentum Gyros on a small spacecraft, to perform high agility manoeuvres. These units will be used to achieve the missions specified for this project, mainly full imaging of Turkey, stereoscopic imaging of selected targets, a Digital Elevation Map of Turkey, and communications. The present paper discusses briefly the technical characteristics of the spacecraft, but focuses on the mission aspects and how the different subsystems (namely the new subsystems and payloads) will be used to accomplish the mission. The operational modes of the spacecraft are discussed and the interaction of the AODCS subsystem with the OBDH and Imaging system is described in detail.
