Session
Technical Session II: Year in Review
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The CubeSat Signal Preprocessor Assessment and Test (CAT) spacecraft were deployed via Nanoracks from the International Space Station on January 31, 2019 and have successfully operated for over a year. These twin 3U configuration spacecraft rely on differential drag to maintain desired in-track separation distances of 10 – 150 km. The design and implementation of the differential drag maneuvers is presented along with the on-orbit results. Lessons learned throughout the past 1.5 years of spacecraft operations as well as updates to how the orbit determination and differential drag planning are conducted are also discussed. The CAT mission has been considered a success and an extended mission has been proposed to operate the spacecraft until their estimated re-entry in mid-2021.
CAT Differential Drag Implementation and Lessons Learned
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The CubeSat Signal Preprocessor Assessment and Test (CAT) spacecraft were deployed via Nanoracks from the International Space Station on January 31, 2019 and have successfully operated for over a year. These twin 3U configuration spacecraft rely on differential drag to maintain desired in-track separation distances of 10 – 150 km. The design and implementation of the differential drag maneuvers is presented along with the on-orbit results. Lessons learned throughout the past 1.5 years of spacecraft operations as well as updates to how the orbit determination and differential drag planning are conducted are also discussed. The CAT mission has been considered a success and an extended mission has been proposed to operate the spacecraft until their estimated re-entry in mid-2021.
