Session
Weekend Poster Session 1
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
For the small satellite community, establishing new satellite constellations using traditional practices can be costly, require a long time to perform, and be logistically difficult to accomplish. Most existing satellite constellations have been established using methods involving either multiple independent launches of member satellites, the inclusion of propulsion systems aboard ride-sharing satellites capable of providing significant ΔV to increase spread, or a combination of the two involving space tugs. One approach that can potentially enable the small satellite community to more easily execute missions involving their own constellations is to implement a rotating momentum exchange tether deployment system launched using a CubeSat-based architecture, which would be used to deploy smaller onboard satellites into their own orbits to support the constellation. Recent research has been focused on evaluating the primary governing parameters and relations involved in designing, establishing, and maintaining a tether-deployed constellation. These parameters and relations are necessary in developing the overall architecture for potential constellation missions, and are being investigated in a manner to determine the best practices in support of spacecraft not just on the level of SmallSats, but also of all scales, quantities, locations, and applications.
SSC23-WP1-05 Poster
Concepts and Considerations for Small Satellite Constellation Deployment via Momentum Exchange Tethers
Utah State University, Logan, UT
For the small satellite community, establishing new satellite constellations using traditional practices can be costly, require a long time to perform, and be logistically difficult to accomplish. Most existing satellite constellations have been established using methods involving either multiple independent launches of member satellites, the inclusion of propulsion systems aboard ride-sharing satellites capable of providing significant ΔV to increase spread, or a combination of the two involving space tugs. One approach that can potentially enable the small satellite community to more easily execute missions involving their own constellations is to implement a rotating momentum exchange tether deployment system launched using a CubeSat-based architecture, which would be used to deploy smaller onboard satellites into their own orbits to support the constellation. Recent research has been focused on evaluating the primary governing parameters and relations involved in designing, establishing, and maintaining a tether-deployed constellation. These parameters and relations are necessary in developing the overall architecture for potential constellation missions, and are being investigated in a manner to determine the best practices in support of spacecraft not just on the level of SmallSats, but also of all scales, quantities, locations, and applications.
