Three Corner Sat: Mission Review and Lessons Learned
Abstract
Three Corner Sat (3CS) was a joint collaboration among Arizona State University (ASU), the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), and New Mexico State University (NMSU) as part of the University Nanosatellite Program sponsored by AFOSR, DARPA and NASA GSFC. Three Corner Sat consisted of two identical nano-satellites that were designed to demonstrate stereo imaging, innovative command and data handling, formation flying with RF communications, and MEMS micro-propulsion technology. This spacecraft was launched on December 21, 2004 aboard a Delta 4 Heavy as part of the Delta 4 Heavy Demo mission. The project demonstrates the feasibility of micro-satellites with regards responsive space and the capability of universities to deliver a flight worthy spacecraft. This paper reviews the mission as well as discusses the lessons learned from this effort. With 3CS as a model, attention is also given to a university’s ability to contribute to the advancement of micro-satellites and the aerospace community as a whole.
Three Corner Sat: Mission Review and Lessons Learned
Three Corner Sat (3CS) was a joint collaboration among Arizona State University (ASU), the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU), and New Mexico State University (NMSU) as part of the University Nanosatellite Program sponsored by AFOSR, DARPA and NASA GSFC. Three Corner Sat consisted of two identical nano-satellites that were designed to demonstrate stereo imaging, innovative command and data handling, formation flying with RF communications, and MEMS micro-propulsion technology. This spacecraft was launched on December 21, 2004 aboard a Delta 4 Heavy as part of the Delta 4 Heavy Demo mission. The project demonstrates the feasibility of micro-satellites with regards responsive space and the capability of universities to deliver a flight worthy spacecraft. This paper reviews the mission as well as discusses the lessons learned from this effort. With 3CS as a model, attention is also given to a university’s ability to contribute to the advancement of micro-satellites and the aerospace community as a whole.
