QuickSAT/Autonomy: A Framework of Autonomy APIs and System for Small Satellites to Support Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Vehicle Health Management Functions

The QuickSAT/Autonomy is a framework of autonomy APIs and system with flight computer designed for cubesats to support Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) functions plus generic autonomy related functions such as vehicle health management. The system allows the cubesat through a range of sensors such as a hyperspectral camera to collect data, “perceive” key select information, and alert to the ground what is “sensed”, relaying only the required critical data. Operators can later download larger data sets as needed. This will allow the streamlining what is communicated to the ground in a timely manner. Communications is a critical bottleneck in small satellites such as cubesats – on board autonomy can rapidly assist in ISR functions. Distributed systems using formation flying satellites can use synergy of autonomous payloads on-board of different satellites instead of a multiplying effect of constellations in order to enhance coverage. The open framework allows the QuickSAT/Autonomy System with our LinkStar avionics system is to provide a flexible vehicle management system, a range of autonomy tools, global communications, and accurate and rapid tracking of 1U and larger cubesats and small satellites, providing exceptional situational awareness and ISR support. QuickSAT/Autonomy provides a database architecture to support the knowledge base built on the ground and during flight, a Bayesian Network learning framework, and supporting Apache Airflow based tools to name a few of the on-board Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (ML) functions within QuickSAT/Autonomy. The heart of the LinkStar avionics system is provided by either the BeagleBone Black AI module for Cubesats and power constrained vehicles OR the Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC chipbased FRNCS computer for larger Cubesats and Small Satellites, a system that combines a quad core ARM-53 processor and Zynq-7000 FPGA. LinkStar supports I2C, I2C multiplexer, Space Wire, serial, USB and CAN allowing for a range of sensors to be connected to the QuickSAT/Autonomy architecture; other data buses can be easily infused into the design. LinkStar also includes smart power management software set of APIs, software rad-hardening tools, and QuickSAT/Xen hypervisor to enable multiple, secure operating systems on the processor. The board design is a PC104 format with full support for the Cubesat bus. The integrated flight computer hosts the QuickSAT/VMS system providing vehicle control, communications, and instrument management functions. QuickSAT/VMS provides a web based interface for easy vehicle configuration, system testing, and management. Supporting APIs are provided with the system. For this presentation we will present the framework and the overall architecture

Globalstar STX3 To STX4/SpotX: An Evolution from Global Simplex to Global Duplex Communications for 1U Cubesats and Larger Vehicles

The STX3 module is used in devices from the LinkStar-TRK satellite radio system to SPOT locators used on the ground providing global beaconing services for a range of systems and applications such as cubesats, aircraft, ships at sea, and pipeline monitoring systems to name a few. For cubesats and small satellites the STX3 and the STX3 based LinkStar-TRK provides an invaluable low cost global data communications system. However a key drawback is the module only provides one-way “simplex” communications–there is not a mechanism to send messages and commands globally up to the satellite via the STX3 module. Per FCC regulations and NASA Policy Directive (NPD) 2570.5E “all spacecraft shall be equipped with mechanisms to remotely cease EM emissions unless there is a human presence with this direct capability” – thus satellite operators of STX3 based radios must provide a second radio, an uplink, to cease emissions of the STX3 module. The STX3 module becomes dependent on the functionality of another radio which defeats the global communications capability. As a result, sci_Zone in partnership with Globalstar has begun research and development of the STX4 based radio system – the LinkStar-TRK-X, an adaptation of Globalstar’s Spot-X radio providing low bandwidth global duplex communications that fits within 0.25U of a cubesat (100x100x25mm). The architecture is designed to interface with the cubesat bus, is a PC104 format board, and provides full message downlink and command/message uplink services for the cubesat and small satellite. Over 90% Earth coverage is provided by the LinkStar-TRK-X radio system. The LinkStar-TRK-X design provides support for I2C and an I2C multiplexer, Space Wire, serial connections, USB, and a range of switched and unswitched power connectors to power the LinkStar-TRK-X and supported instruments. The integrated flight computer hosts the QuickSAT/VMS system providing vehicle control, communications, and instrument management functions. QuickSAT/VMS provides a web based interface for easy vehicle configuration, system testing, and management. In this presentation we will present the system design and implementation, and how LinkStar-TRK-X fits within a cubesat architecture, plus how the unit communicates with the desktop and iPhone from anywhere in orbit

The CaNOP Cubesat Mission, Remote Imaging of the Rain Forest And Testing AI Based Identification Tools

The CaNOP Cubesat Mission is a student based cubesat mission based out of Carthage College. The purpose of the mission is to test a method for multispectral imaging, image changes in the rain forest on Earth, test AI based tools to identify known test targets on the ground, and visualize changes in urban night lighting due to the growth in low power LED street lights. The 3U Cubesat camera system is designed to replicate early Landsat remote sensing capabilities. For this mission CaNOP is using a commercial four-band multispectral pushbroom imager designed for precision agriculture applications. This imaging system reproduces a subset of the visible and near-IR Landsat and MODIS spectral imaging channels at a ground pixel size of 60m at an orbital altitude of 400 km. CaNOP will be deployed from the ISS in Fall 2020. Communications will be through our LinkStar-STX3 and LinkStar duplex radios which link the satellite through the Globalstar network providing global beaconing and positioning, command and control, and image download. We will be able to control swaths to image based on known location via our web ground interface. For this presentation we will discuss the mission plan and mission science, provide comparison figures of merit for CaNOP and Landsat 8, present the PC104 based BeagleBone Black interface and architecture and how it was integrated with the cubesat, and how data from the mission will be collected and shared with the community

The CaNOP CubeSat Mission

The CaNOP Cubesat Mission is a student based cubesat mission based out of Carthage College. The purpose of the mission is to test a method for multispectral imaging, image changes in the rain forest on Earth, and visualize changes in urban night lighting due to the growth in low power LED street lights. The 3U Cubesat camera system is designed to replicate early Landsat remote sensing capabilities. For this mission CaNOP is using a commercial four-band multispectral push-broom imager designed for precision agriculture applications. This imaging system reproduces a subset of the visible and near-IR Landsat and MODIS spectral imaging channels at a ground pixel size of 60m at an orbital altitude of 400 km. CaNOP will be deployed from the ISS in Fall 2019. Communications will be through our LinkStar-STX3 and LinkStar duplex radios which link the satellite through the Globalstar network providing global beaconing and positioning, command and control, and image download. We will be able to control swaths to image based on known location via our web ground interface. For this presentation we will discuss the mission plan and mission science, provide comparison figures of merit for CaNOP, present the new PC104 based BeagleBone Black interface and architecture and how it was integrated with the cubesat, and how data from the mission will be collected and shared with the community

Stability of a tethered satellite system

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76302/1/AIAA-1991-474-527.pd

Flight dynamics and optimal design of a tethered satellite with wings in free molecular flow

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77372/1/AIAA-1993-96-412.pd

Several Developments in Space Tethers

Five reports address different aspects of development of tethers to be deployed from spacecraft in orbit around the Earth. The first report discusses proposed optoelectronic tracking of retroreflective objects located at intervals or of retroreflective coats along the entire length of a tether to measure lateral motions. The second report describes digitally controlled spooling machinery that retracts or extends a tape tether at controlled speed and tension in the spool isolated from uncontrolled tension on the outside. The third report discusses part of this machinery that pivots to accommodate misalignments between the deployed and spooled portions of the tether and contains rollers used to exert tension and speed control. The fourth report discusses aspects of designs of proposed electrodynamic tethers, which would be electrically conductive and would interact with the magnetic field of the Earth to exert forces to modify orbits of deploying spacecraft. The fifth report discusses electrical aspects of designs of electrodynamic tape tethers, including the use of solar cells or motional electromagnetic force to generate currents in tethers and the use of electron emitters and electron and ion collectors at opposite ends of tethers to make electrical contact with the thin plasma in surrounding space

Global transcriptome analysis reveals circadian control of splicing events in Arabidopsis thaliana

The circadian clock of Arabidopsis thaliana controls many physiological and molecular processes, allowing plants to anticipate daily changes in their environment. However, developing a detailed understanding of how oscillations in mRNA levels are connected to oscillations in co/post-transcriptional processes, such as splicing, has remained a challenge. Here we applied a combined approach using deep transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics tools to identify novel circadian-regulated genes and splicing events. Using a stringent approach, we identified 300 intron retention, eight exon skipping, 79 alternative 3' splice site usage, 48 alternative 5' splice site usage, and 350 multiple (more than one event type) annotated events under circadian regulation. We also found seven and 721 novel alternative exonic and intronic events. Depletion of the circadian-regulated splicing factor AtSPF30 homologue resulted in the disruption of a subset of clock-controlled splicing events. Altogether, our global circadian RNA-seq coupled with an in silico, event-centred, splicing analysis tool offers a new approach for studying the interplay between the circadian clock and the splicing machinery at a global scale. The identification of many circadian-regulated splicing events broadens our current understanding of the level of control that the circadian clock has over this co/post-transcriptional regulatory layer.Fil: Romanowski, Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Schlaen, Rubén Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Perez Santangelo, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Mancini, Estefania. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Yanovsky, Marcelo Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Tethered atmospheric/ionospheric research satellite (AIRSAT)

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76917/1/AIAA-1993-4767-104.pd

Applications of electrodynamic tethers and the STEP-AIRSEDS mission

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76415/1/AIAA-2001-1144-690.pd