Session
Weekend Session VII: Year in Review - Research & Academia
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) 6U CubeSat is a mission led by The University of Melbourne in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency. SpIRIT received support from the Australian Space Agency and includes contributions from Australian space industry and international research organizations. Developed over the last four years and launched in a 510 km Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit in December 2023, SpIRIT carries multiple subsystems for scientific and technology demonstration. The main scientific payload is the HERMES instrument, a gamma and X-ray detector for detection of high-energy astrophysics transients (primarily Gamma Ray Bursts), and for studies of their variability at scales below 1 ms. The satellite includes a novel thermal management system for its class, based on a Stirling-cycle cooler and deployable thermal radiator, designed to cool the HERMES instrument to reduce instrumental background noise. A low-latency communication subsystem based on a sat-phone network is supporting the rapid transmission of time-critical data from HERMES to mission control and can receive spacecraft telecommands as well. SpIRIT is also equipped with a set of RGB and thermal IR cameras, connected to an on-board image processing unit with artificial intelligence capabilities for autonomous feature recognition. To effectively manage all the electrical, electronics and software interfaces between different subsystems and mission stakeholders, the University of Melbourne developed an instrument control unit (PMS) which operates all payloads. PMS also provides backup uninterruptible power to the HERMES instrument through a supercapacitor-based UPS for safe instrument shutdown in case of platform power interruptions. This paper first presents a brief mission and payload overview, and then focuses on early in-orbit results, along with lessons learned throughout the mission development and operations. Industry-developed subsystems on SpIRIT, which include the spacecraft platform, the attitude determination and control system, and a solid-fuel electric propulsion unit, are not covered in this paper. This work not only sheds light on the novelty of some of the on-board technologies onboard and on their potential impact to enable greater utilization of CubeSats for scientific missions, but also offers insights into the practical challenges and accomplishments related to developing and operating a multi-organization CubeSat with a complex array of instruments and systems.
SpIRIT Mission: In-Orbit Results and Technology Demonstrations
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The Space Industry Responsive Intelligent Thermal (SpIRIT) 6U CubeSat is a mission led by The University of Melbourne in cooperation with the Italian Space Agency. SpIRIT received support from the Australian Space Agency and includes contributions from Australian space industry and international research organizations. Developed over the last four years and launched in a 510 km Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit in December 2023, SpIRIT carries multiple subsystems for scientific and technology demonstration. The main scientific payload is the HERMES instrument, a gamma and X-ray detector for detection of high-energy astrophysics transients (primarily Gamma Ray Bursts), and for studies of their variability at scales below 1 ms. The satellite includes a novel thermal management system for its class, based on a Stirling-cycle cooler and deployable thermal radiator, designed to cool the HERMES instrument to reduce instrumental background noise. A low-latency communication subsystem based on a sat-phone network is supporting the rapid transmission of time-critical data from HERMES to mission control and can receive spacecraft telecommands as well. SpIRIT is also equipped with a set of RGB and thermal IR cameras, connected to an on-board image processing unit with artificial intelligence capabilities for autonomous feature recognition. To effectively manage all the electrical, electronics and software interfaces between different subsystems and mission stakeholders, the University of Melbourne developed an instrument control unit (PMS) which operates all payloads. PMS also provides backup uninterruptible power to the HERMES instrument through a supercapacitor-based UPS for safe instrument shutdown in case of platform power interruptions. This paper first presents a brief mission and payload overview, and then focuses on early in-orbit results, along with lessons learned throughout the mission development and operations. Industry-developed subsystems on SpIRIT, which include the spacecraft platform, the attitude determination and control system, and a solid-fuel electric propulsion unit, are not covered in this paper. This work not only sheds light on the novelty of some of the on-board technologies onboard and on their potential impact to enable greater utilization of CubeSats for scientific missions, but also offers insights into the practical challenges and accomplishments related to developing and operating a multi-organization CubeSat with a complex array of instruments and systems.
