Session
Poster Session 2
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
The demand for high-resolution Earth observation data has been growing rapidly, driven by applications in environmental monitoring, disaster response, urban planning, and defense. Governments, research institutions, and private companies increasingly rely on detailed satellite imagery to make informed decisions. However, traditional Earth observation satellites are often expensive and require long development timelines, creating a need for more compact and cost-effective solutions. Recent advancements in CubeSat technology, particularly in high-performance Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), have significantly expanded the capabilities of nanosatellites. These improvements have made it possible for smaller satellites to achieve imaging performance once limited to larger spacecraft. This paper presents a mission analysis of 16U CubeSats for high-resolution Earth observation, focusing on key aspects such as orbital selection, payload performance, communication systems, and power constraints. Sun-synchronous orbits are evaluated to optimize global coverage and revisit times, ensuring effective and continuous monitoring. The study examines trade-offs between image resolution, ground sample distance (GSD), and instrument size while addressing the constraints of the 16U CubeSat form factor. Various communication strategies are analyzed to enable efficient data transmission and command uplink, ensuring reliable operations and timely image delivery. Additionally, power management strategies are explored to sustain mission longevity and instrument performance. The ground segment, including mission control and planning, is also discussed to ensure efficient satellite operations, data acquisition, and overall mission success. Furthermore, this paper provides an overview of miniaturized high-resolution optical cameras available for Earth observation CubeSat missions, specifically designed for 16U platforms. The findings highlight the potential of 16U CubeSats to achieve imaging capabilities traditionally associated with larger satellites. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using CubeSats for high-resolution Earth observation and emphasizes their role in making geospatial data more accessible. By advancing nanosatellite technologies, this work lays the foundation for future collaborations between academia, industry, and government agencies to support global Earth observation efforts.
Document Type
Event
Compact Satellites for Big Insights: Mission Analysis of a 16U CubeSat for High-Resolution Earth Observation
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
The demand for high-resolution Earth observation data has been growing rapidly, driven by applications in environmental monitoring, disaster response, urban planning, and defense. Governments, research institutions, and private companies increasingly rely on detailed satellite imagery to make informed decisions. However, traditional Earth observation satellites are often expensive and require long development timelines, creating a need for more compact and cost-effective solutions. Recent advancements in CubeSat technology, particularly in high-performance Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), have significantly expanded the capabilities of nanosatellites. These improvements have made it possible for smaller satellites to achieve imaging performance once limited to larger spacecraft. This paper presents a mission analysis of 16U CubeSats for high-resolution Earth observation, focusing on key aspects such as orbital selection, payload performance, communication systems, and power constraints. Sun-synchronous orbits are evaluated to optimize global coverage and revisit times, ensuring effective and continuous monitoring. The study examines trade-offs between image resolution, ground sample distance (GSD), and instrument size while addressing the constraints of the 16U CubeSat form factor. Various communication strategies are analyzed to enable efficient data transmission and command uplink, ensuring reliable operations and timely image delivery. Additionally, power management strategies are explored to sustain mission longevity and instrument performance. The ground segment, including mission control and planning, is also discussed to ensure efficient satellite operations, data acquisition, and overall mission success. Furthermore, this paper provides an overview of miniaturized high-resolution optical cameras available for Earth observation CubeSat missions, specifically designed for 16U platforms. The findings highlight the potential of 16U CubeSats to achieve imaging capabilities traditionally associated with larger satellites. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using CubeSats for high-resolution Earth observation and emphasizes their role in making geospatial data more accessible. By advancing nanosatellite technologies, this work lays the foundation for future collaborations between academia, industry, and government agencies to support global Earth observation efforts.
