Different Approaches to Developing Small Satellite Missions

Presenter Information

Philip Huang, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
John Carvo, Blue Canyon Technologies
Kristin Fretz, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Edward Reynolds, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Edward Wells, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
William Swartz, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Aaron Rogers, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab
Christine Miranda, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Session

Session 10: Year In Review

Abstract

While lower cost and increased launch opportunities provide easier access to space, there are different approaches to developing solutions for a small U-class satellite to support scientific research and government missions. JHU/APL has successfully led and flown two 3U CubeSat missions and is currently working on a third mission. The first mission, ORS TECH, was a two-spacecraft mission for the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). The second mission, RAVAN, was a single spacecraft mission for the NASA Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO). JHU/APL is leading a third 3U CubeSat mission, CAT, scheduled for launch in 2018 for the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). For each of these missions, JHU/APL took a different approach in the development of the 3U small satellite. This paper will review the three different methods used at JHU/APL for the development of 3U CubeSats and will provide insights and lessons learned for developing future small U-class satellites for educational, commercial, and government missions.

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