Session
Swifty Session 2
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Satellite Mission Success is best achieved during the Launch Early Operations Phase (LEOP) when a satellite first becomes alive as radio data (TT&C) appears on the ground station within seconds. Using the Iridium global network, no matter where a tumbling satellite is in orbit, TT&C data is available anywhere-anytime. Diagnostic data, GPS, spin rates, live ADCS, temperatures, voltages, electrical power systems, primary processor, deployments, and payload monitors like plasma density or integral particle fluxes can all be tracked during the turn-on process with the option of disabling or adjusting command parameters to the unexpected. Several EyeStar-S4 flight NSL/Iridium transceivers can be linked to each bus subsystem or payload for quick-look data using the S4 microcontroller for a direct link to the ground. Although each S4 data rate is low (up to 100 bytes/s in some cases) the selected compressed data from each parallel S4 link can provide a wealth of information and science data with the TM frame formatter. After the LEOP phase of a few days, the S4 link can be optimized for sending back prompt, quick look, diagnostic, and scientific data for mission duration.
Flight results are shown of the S4 Iridium link from the NSL S4-CROSSOVER Sat (Astra launch, March 8, 2022) and the NSL TROOP-3 Sat (SpaceX launch, May 25, 2022). Each was in ~525 km polar orbit and tumbling at 40 and 8 RPM, respectively. Both the satellites sent "first light" packets of data soon after first transmitter turn-on to the NSL console via Iridium. Both rad tolerant satellites were operating for close two years before being decommissioned in early 2024.
NSL delivered the TROOP-F2 satellite (6U) for a SpaceX launch in June 2024. The satellite includes 1) three NSL-Iridium S4 transceivers with different antennas and pointing, 2) several Space Weather NSL-SWAP-E Lite sensors (Low Energy particle detector, Medium Energy Particle spectrometers, a total integral dose particle detector and a Plasma Probe), 3) several NSL Bus systems (new Mosaic-X5 GPS, new ADCS, EPS, rad hard solar cells, 900 MHz link for Sat-Sat or Sat-Ground transceiver, processors) and 4) a primary rendezvous experiment payload. In addition, 5) NSL has added two more GPS antennas to test the differential GPS capability (high-position accuracy and attitude determination required for science, rendezvous, and lower cross section for orbital debris mitigation).
The 6U SWAP-E (Space Weather Array Prompt Experiment) four-satellite constellation and the 6U RAPSat three-satellite mission are scheduled for late 2024 launch (they have 22 Flight S4 transceivers). To date NSL has 100% success of all flight EyeStar- early S3's and current S4's in orbit and the time ordered database on the NSL secured console is ideal for analyses and constellations.
Automation is everywhere in the S4 Iridium link from robotic assembly to smart algorithms. The web console is accessible from desktop or mobile to check incoming packets, send uplink commands, or receive SMS notifications. A Web API allows programmatic access.
Launch & Early Operations Phase (LEOP) Iridium EyeStar-S4 24-7 Link With Mosaic-X5 GPS and Launch Results
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Satellite Mission Success is best achieved during the Launch Early Operations Phase (LEOP) when a satellite first becomes alive as radio data (TT&C) appears on the ground station within seconds. Using the Iridium global network, no matter where a tumbling satellite is in orbit, TT&C data is available anywhere-anytime. Diagnostic data, GPS, spin rates, live ADCS, temperatures, voltages, electrical power systems, primary processor, deployments, and payload monitors like plasma density or integral particle fluxes can all be tracked during the turn-on process with the option of disabling or adjusting command parameters to the unexpected. Several EyeStar-S4 flight NSL/Iridium transceivers can be linked to each bus subsystem or payload for quick-look data using the S4 microcontroller for a direct link to the ground. Although each S4 data rate is low (up to 100 bytes/s in some cases) the selected compressed data from each parallel S4 link can provide a wealth of information and science data with the TM frame formatter. After the LEOP phase of a few days, the S4 link can be optimized for sending back prompt, quick look, diagnostic, and scientific data for mission duration.
Flight results are shown of the S4 Iridium link from the NSL S4-CROSSOVER Sat (Astra launch, March 8, 2022) and the NSL TROOP-3 Sat (SpaceX launch, May 25, 2022). Each was in ~525 km polar orbit and tumbling at 40 and 8 RPM, respectively. Both the satellites sent "first light" packets of data soon after first transmitter turn-on to the NSL console via Iridium. Both rad tolerant satellites were operating for close two years before being decommissioned in early 2024.
NSL delivered the TROOP-F2 satellite (6U) for a SpaceX launch in June 2024. The satellite includes 1) three NSL-Iridium S4 transceivers with different antennas and pointing, 2) several Space Weather NSL-SWAP-E Lite sensors (Low Energy particle detector, Medium Energy Particle spectrometers, a total integral dose particle detector and a Plasma Probe), 3) several NSL Bus systems (new Mosaic-X5 GPS, new ADCS, EPS, rad hard solar cells, 900 MHz link for Sat-Sat or Sat-Ground transceiver, processors) and 4) a primary rendezvous experiment payload. In addition, 5) NSL has added two more GPS antennas to test the differential GPS capability (high-position accuracy and attitude determination required for science, rendezvous, and lower cross section for orbital debris mitigation).
The 6U SWAP-E (Space Weather Array Prompt Experiment) four-satellite constellation and the 6U RAPSat three-satellite mission are scheduled for late 2024 launch (they have 22 Flight S4 transceivers). To date NSL has 100% success of all flight EyeStar- early S3's and current S4's in orbit and the time ordered database on the NSL secured console is ideal for analyses and constellations.
Automation is everywhere in the S4 Iridium link from robotic assembly to smart algorithms. The web console is accessible from desktop or mobile to check incoming packets, send uplink commands, or receive SMS notifications. A Web API allows programmatic access.
