Session
Pre-Conference Poster Session I
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The Miniature Tether Electrodynamic Experiment-1 (MiTEE-1) is a University of Michigan faculty research project, backed by student research and leadership, consisting of a 3U CubeSat with a shortrigid boom electrodynamic tether (EDT) connecting a picosatellite providing enhanced current collection. It is the first of two satellite missions working towards a technology demonstration and increased knowledge of CubeSat spacecraft charging dynamics. This will thus allow for increased refinement and full operation of an EDT spacecraft system capable of station keeping activities on MiTEE-2. The mission of the MiTEE organization is to demonstrate and refine the technology needed to successfully use electrodynamic tethers on CubeSat and smaller platforms. With a final goal of producing a pico (100g-1000g) to femto (< 100g) sized pair of satellites capable of complex station keeping activities further advancing the ability to create low cost, long term, and controllable satellite constellations. The following paper describes the MiTEE-1 spacecraft, proposed operations, and the hardware needed to demonstrate a miniature EDT housed in a 3U body.
Paper for Development of Electrodynamic Tethers for Propellantless Propulsion in Low-Earth Orbit
Development of Electrodynamic Tethers for Propellantless Propulsion in Low-Earth Orbit
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The Miniature Tether Electrodynamic Experiment-1 (MiTEE-1) is a University of Michigan faculty research project, backed by student research and leadership, consisting of a 3U CubeSat with a shortrigid boom electrodynamic tether (EDT) connecting a picosatellite providing enhanced current collection. It is the first of two satellite missions working towards a technology demonstration and increased knowledge of CubeSat spacecraft charging dynamics. This will thus allow for increased refinement and full operation of an EDT spacecraft system capable of station keeping activities on MiTEE-2. The mission of the MiTEE organization is to demonstrate and refine the technology needed to successfully use electrodynamic tethers on CubeSat and smaller platforms. With a final goal of producing a pico (100g-1000g) to femto (< 100g) sized pair of satellites capable of complex station keeping activities further advancing the ability to create low cost, long term, and controllable satellite constellations. The following paper describes the MiTEE-1 spacecraft, proposed operations, and the hardware needed to demonstrate a miniature EDT housed in a 3U body.
