Session
Session VII: University Programs
Abstract
Through the development of a low-cost, 5 kg multi-mission nanosatellite bus at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies’ Space Flight Laboratory, a number of new and interesting applications are now possible on a nanosatellite platform. Two ventures currently underway that adopt the multi-mission nanosatellite bus are an astronomy mission, CanX-3 (also known as the BRight Target Explorer - BRITE), and a dual-satellite formation flight mission, CanX-4/5. CanX-3 is a space telescope that will monitor long-term light fluctuations from the brightest stars in our galaxy to study stellar structure and galactic evolution. CanX-4/5 will demonstrate precise formation flight by controlling position to the 1 m level, and by providing determination with an order of magnitude better accuracy, all via a commercial GPS receiver and a custom propulsion system. The driving force behind the multi-mission concept is the objective of reducing non-recurring engineering design costs. While this approach violates microspace philosophy by not tailoring to each specific mission, this paper argues that consideration and combination of the mission requirement sets allow a limited generic approach that holds to the basic tenets of the philosophy, allowing substantial cost savings to be realized, over and above the case of tailoring to specific mission interests.
Presentation Slides
Adaptable, Multi-Mission Design of CanX Nanosatellites
Through the development of a low-cost, 5 kg multi-mission nanosatellite bus at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies’ Space Flight Laboratory, a number of new and interesting applications are now possible on a nanosatellite platform. Two ventures currently underway that adopt the multi-mission nanosatellite bus are an astronomy mission, CanX-3 (also known as the BRight Target Explorer - BRITE), and a dual-satellite formation flight mission, CanX-4/5. CanX-3 is a space telescope that will monitor long-term light fluctuations from the brightest stars in our galaxy to study stellar structure and galactic evolution. CanX-4/5 will demonstrate precise formation flight by controlling position to the 1 m level, and by providing determination with an order of magnitude better accuracy, all via a commercial GPS receiver and a custom propulsion system. The driving force behind the multi-mission concept is the objective of reducing non-recurring engineering design costs. While this approach violates microspace philosophy by not tailoring to each specific mission, this paper argues that consideration and combination of the mission requirement sets allow a limited generic approach that holds to the basic tenets of the philosophy, allowing substantial cost savings to be realized, over and above the case of tailoring to specific mission interests.
