Session
Weekend Session 4: Next on the Pad - Research & Academia
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The ARKSAT Cube-Satellite Missions will be the first student-led satellites in the State of Arkansas and have been developed primarily at the University of Arkansas (UA)-Fayetteville. The primary goal is the technology development and flight demonstration in pursuit of the Active SpecTROmeter for Small Satellites System (ASTROSS), utilizing formation flights of cooperating light emitters (ARKSAT-3E) and receivers/spectrometers. ARKSAT-1, to be presented at this meeting, is a 1U CubeSat that aims to test critical UA-developed subsystems, including a high-power LED (∼ 12,000 lumens) and novel deorbiting balloon. The follow-on ARKSAT-2, to be launched in 2024, will test flight control subsystems intended for the receiver spacecraft. The total ASTROSS system is expected to be flight tested in the 2026 time frame and would demonstrate its feasibility as a low-cost, active spectroscopy platform with the potential for use in future planetary missions.
ARKSAT-1 tests include a ground tracking capability using a terrestrial telescope scanning the nadir pointed LED and LEO-to-surface atmospheric measurements. ARKSAT-1 is made up of UA developed subsystems including the Power System, High-Power LED, Onboard Computer, Guidance, Navigation and Control, Balloon Deorbiter, and Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS).
ARKSAT-1’s ADCS is based on a remote sensing suite that includes visible and infrared cameras mounted externally on each face of the CubeSat. The data collected from the sensor suite is used to estimate the locations of the Sun, Moon, and Earth relative to the spacecraft. One face features four infrared cameras that enable finer nadir detection coupled with the face mounted magnetorquers for nadir-pointing. The HighPower LED is also located on this face, allowing ground telescopes to track the satellite as it passes overhead. The performance testing of this system is a critical component of the mission set of ARKSAT-3E, which requires the ability to precisely direct light emitters in order to take spectroscopic measurements. The deorbiting module, when activated, will heat and break down Sodium Azide located inside wells onboard the subsystem. This releases Nitrogen gas to fill a Mylar balloon, significantly increasing drag. ARKSAT-1 will provide an in-space test platform to characterize this simple for small satellites to deorbit within the 25 year orbital disposal requirement.
The ARKSAT-1 hardware and software have already been fully tested and developed and were delivered to Nanoracks in December 2022. It is manifested aboard SpaceX-27 to launch in March 2023 and deploy from the International Space Station in late April 2023. Once deployed, the satellite will begin initial onboard system diagnostics and initiate the communication link with the ground station. Then all subsystems and components of the sensor suite will be calibrated and in the months afterward, we will be testing the system’s full capabilities including communication, nadir pointing, capturing visible and infrared images, and data management. At the conclusion of the mission, we will test the deorbiter system and quantify its impact on the satellite’s orbit.
ARKSAT. The First Operational Demonstrator of Novel Ground Tracking and Deorbiting Technology Towards Active Spectroscopic for Small Satellite System
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The ARKSAT Cube-Satellite Missions will be the first student-led satellites in the State of Arkansas and have been developed primarily at the University of Arkansas (UA)-Fayetteville. The primary goal is the technology development and flight demonstration in pursuit of the Active SpecTROmeter for Small Satellites System (ASTROSS), utilizing formation flights of cooperating light emitters (ARKSAT-3E) and receivers/spectrometers. ARKSAT-1, to be presented at this meeting, is a 1U CubeSat that aims to test critical UA-developed subsystems, including a high-power LED (∼ 12,000 lumens) and novel deorbiting balloon. The follow-on ARKSAT-2, to be launched in 2024, will test flight control subsystems intended for the receiver spacecraft. The total ASTROSS system is expected to be flight tested in the 2026 time frame and would demonstrate its feasibility as a low-cost, active spectroscopy platform with the potential for use in future planetary missions.
ARKSAT-1 tests include a ground tracking capability using a terrestrial telescope scanning the nadir pointed LED and LEO-to-surface atmospheric measurements. ARKSAT-1 is made up of UA developed subsystems including the Power System, High-Power LED, Onboard Computer, Guidance, Navigation and Control, Balloon Deorbiter, and Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS).
ARKSAT-1’s ADCS is based on a remote sensing suite that includes visible and infrared cameras mounted externally on each face of the CubeSat. The data collected from the sensor suite is used to estimate the locations of the Sun, Moon, and Earth relative to the spacecraft. One face features four infrared cameras that enable finer nadir detection coupled with the face mounted magnetorquers for nadir-pointing. The HighPower LED is also located on this face, allowing ground telescopes to track the satellite as it passes overhead. The performance testing of this system is a critical component of the mission set of ARKSAT-3E, which requires the ability to precisely direct light emitters in order to take spectroscopic measurements. The deorbiting module, when activated, will heat and break down Sodium Azide located inside wells onboard the subsystem. This releases Nitrogen gas to fill a Mylar balloon, significantly increasing drag. ARKSAT-1 will provide an in-space test platform to characterize this simple for small satellites to deorbit within the 25 year orbital disposal requirement.
The ARKSAT-1 hardware and software have already been fully tested and developed and were delivered to Nanoracks in December 2022. It is manifested aboard SpaceX-27 to launch in March 2023 and deploy from the International Space Station in late April 2023. Once deployed, the satellite will begin initial onboard system diagnostics and initiate the communication link with the ground station. Then all subsystems and components of the sensor suite will be calibrated and in the months afterward, we will be testing the system’s full capabilities including communication, nadir pointing, capturing visible and infrared images, and data management. At the conclusion of the mission, we will test the deorbiter system and quantify its impact on the satellite’s orbit.
