Experimental set-up of a thermal vacuum chamber for thermal model in-house correlation and characterization of the HYPSO hyperspectral imager

Space environment with changing temperatures and vacuum can affect the performance of optics instruments onboard satellites. Thermal models and tests are typically done to understand the optics performance within large space projects, but less often in nanosatellites projects. It is even more rarer for an optics payload inside a CubeSat platform, made by a third provider, to do functional tests on their optics during space environment test campaign. In this research, an in-house made vacuum chamber with the possibility to warm up (TVAC) the devices under tests, and wall-through transparency for optics experiments is set-up. In parallel, a thermal model of the HYPerspectral Small satellite for ocean Observation (HYPSO) Hyperspectral Imager (HSI) is developed. The HSI, which is a transmissive grating hyperspectral instrument ranged in the visible to near infrared wavelength, has been tested in TVAC. As thermal control is based on heating the device under test, a new method for fitting the thermal models inside vacuum chambers with only heating capability is proposed. Finally, the TVAC set-up and the thermal model fitting method have been demonstrated to be appropriate to validate the HSI thermal model, and to characterize the optics performance of HSI in vacuum and in the range of temperatures found inside the in-orbit HYPSO-1 CubeSat.Research Council of Norway | Ref. 223254Research Council of Norway | Ref. 270959Norwegian Space Agency and the European Space Agency | Ref. 4000132515Ministerio de Universidades | Ref. CAS21/00502Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Pre-Launch Assembly, Integration, and Testing Strategy of a Hyperspectral Imaging CubeSat, HYPSO-1

Assembly, Integration, and Verification/Testing (AIV or AIT) is a standardized guideline for projects to ensure consistency throughout spacecraft development phases. The goal of establishing such a guideline is to assist in planning and executing a successful mission. While AIV campaigns can help reduce risk, they can also take years to complete and be prohibitively costly for smaller new space programs, such as university CubeSat teams. This manuscript outlines a strategic approach to the traditional space industry AIV campaign through demonstration with a 6U CubeSat mission. The HYPerspectral Smallsat for Ocean observation (HYPSO-1) mission was developed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology’s (NTNU) SmallSatellite Laboratory in conjunction with NanoAvionics (the platform provider). The approach retains critical milestones of traditional AIV, outlines tailored testing procedures for the custom-built hyperspectral imager, and provides suggestions for faster development. A critical discussion of de-risking and design-driving decisions, such as imager configuration and machining custom parts, highlights the consequences that helped, or alternatively hindered, development timelines. This AIV approach has proven key for HYPSO-1’s success, defining further development within the lab (e.g., already with the second-generation, HYPSO-2), and can be scaled to other small spacecraft programs throughout the new space industry