In-flight orbit determination for a deep space CubeSat

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BIRDY - Interplanetary CubeSat for planetary geodesy of Small Solar System Bodies (SSSB).

International audienceWe are developing the Birdy concept of a scientific interplanetary CubeSat, for cruise, or proximity operations around a Small body of the Solar System (asteroid, comet, irregular satellite). The scientific aim is to characterise the body's shape, gravity field, and internal structure through imaging and radio-science techniques. Radio-science is now of common use in planetary science (flybys or orbiters) to derive the mass of the scientific target and possibly higher order terms of its gravity field. Its application to a nano-satellite brings the advantage of enabling low orbits that can get closer to the body's surface, hence increasing the SNR for precise orbit determination (POD), with a fully dedicated instrument. Additionally, it can be applied to two or more satellites, on a leading-trailing trajectory, to improve the gravity field determination. However, the application of this technique to CubeSats in deep space, and inter-satellite link has to be proven. Interplanetary CubeSats need to overcome a few challenges before reaching successfully their deep-space objectives: link to ground-segment, energy supply, protection against radiation, etc. Besides, the Birdy CubeSat --- as our basis concept --- is designed to be accompanying a mothercraft, and relies partly on the main mission for reaching the target, as well as on data-link with the Earth. However, constraints to the mothercraft needs to be reduced, by having the CubeSat as autonomous as possible. In this respect, propulsion and auto-navigation are key aspects, that we are studying in a Birdy-T engineering model. We envisage a 3U size CubeSat with radio link, object-tracker and imaging function, and autonomous ionic propulsion system. We are considering two case studies for autonomous guidance, navigation and control, with autonomous propulsion: in cruise and in proximity, necessitating DeltaV up to 2m/s for a total budget of about 50m/s. In addition to the propulsion, in-flight orbit determination (IFOD) and maintenance are studied, through analysis of images by an object-tracker and astrometry of solar system objects in front of background stars. Before going to deep-space, our project will start with BIRDY-1 orbiting the Earth, to validate the concepts of adopted propulsion, IFOD and orbit maintenance, as well as the radio-science and POD

BIRDY - Interplanetary CubeSat for planetary geodesy of Small Solar System Bodies (SSSB).

International audienceWe are developing the Birdy concept of a scientific interplanetary CubeSat, for cruise, or proximity operations around a Small body of the Solar System (asteroid, comet, irregular satellite). The scientific aim is to characterise the body's shape, gravity field, and internal structure through imaging and radio-science techniques. Radio-science is now of common use in planetary science (flybys or orbiters) to derive the mass of the scientific target and possibly higher order terms of its gravity field. Its application to a nano-satellite brings the advantage of enabling low orbits that can get closer to the body's surface, hence increasing the SNR for precise orbit determination (POD), with a fully dedicated instrument. Additionally, it can be applied to two or more satellites, on a leading-trailing trajectory, to improve the gravity field determination. However, the application of this technique to CubeSats in deep space, and inter-satellite link has to be proven. Interplanetary CubeSats need to overcome a few challenges before reaching successfully their deep-space objectives: link to ground-segment, energy supply, protection against radiation, etc. Besides, the Birdy CubeSat --- as our basis concept --- is designed to be accompanying a mothercraft, and relies partly on the main mission for reaching the target, as well as on data-link with the Earth. However, constraints to the mothercraft needs to be reduced, by having the CubeSat as autonomous as possible. In this respect, propulsion and auto-navigation are key aspects, that we are studying in a Birdy-T engineering model. We envisage a 3U size CubeSat with radio link, object-tracker and imaging function, and autonomous ionic propulsion system. We are considering two case studies for autonomous guidance, navigation and control, with autonomous propulsion: in cruise and in proximity, necessitating DeltaV up to 2m/s for a total budget of about 50m/s. In addition to the propulsion, in-flight orbit determination (IFOD) and maintenance are studied, through analysis of images by an object-tracker and astrometry of solar system objects in front of background stars. Before going to deep-space, our project will start with BIRDY-1 orbiting the Earth, to validate the concepts of adopted propulsion, IFOD and orbit maintenance, as well as the radio-science and POD

A Satellite Data Analysis and CubeSat Instrument Simulator Tool for Simultaneous Multi-spacecraft Measurements of Solar Energetic Particles

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The Paving Stones: initial feed-back on an attempt to apply the AGILE principles for the development of a CubeSat space mission to Mars

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BIRDY - Planetary Geodesy of Small Bodies _through CubeSats in Autonomous Navigation

International audienceBringing a CubeSat that could autonomously navigate in the vicinity of small bodies would be an ideal platform to perform radio-science from multiple locations at low altitudes that are too risky for a mothercraft. The perturbations due to the asteroid during the orbit or multiple flybys of the CubeSat allow the reconstruction of its detailed gravitational field by planetary geodesy and, eventually, the identification of its internal structure. To this purpose, we are developing the BIRDY concept of interplanetary CubeSat, accompanying a mothercraft for planetary geodesy of small bodies (asteroids, comets, satellites). Besides, classical radio tracking can be coupled to other techniques such as space astrometry and VLBI [1]. Interplanetary CubeSats need to overcome a few challenges before reaching successfully their deep-space objectives: link to ground-segment, energy supply, protection against radiation, etc. Besides, the Birdy CubeSat - as our basis concept - is designed to be accompanying a mothercraft, and relies partly on the main mission for reaching the target, as well as on data-link with the Earth. Autonomous navigation could then provide a way to perform a new kind of planetary geodesy, particularly well adapted to small bodies..Future mission for space exploration or sample return could hence take profit of having accompanying nano-orbiters, as complementary or deported instruments with increased autonomy. Furthermore, in the current context of more and more small satellites being launched in solo or in network/swarms missions, the operational cost of such projects is booming; especially because of the required ground segment. This kind of technology could greatly increase the feasibility of such projects (by moving the decision making to the satellite), for example high frequency imaging of the Earth, Radio Interferometry from space, simultaneous multi-point in situ study of the solar wind, etc. A performant autonomous navigation function for small satellite could hence unlock new scientific missions and commercial applications.This autonomous attitude and orbit determination and control function (a.k.a autonomous navigation) for small satellites, in addition to radio science fro planetary missions, is currently being developed by a Consortium made of laboratories LESIA and IMCCE from Observatory of Paris in France, and the National Cheng Kung University and ODYSSEUS Space Co., Ltd in Taiwan. Before going to deep-space, and performing planetary science, our project will start with BIRDY-1 orbiting the Earth, to validate the concepts of adopted propulsion, IFOD and orbit maintenance, as well as the radio-science.[1] Gurvits, L. et al. 2013. Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) for the JUICE mission. EPSC 8, 357.This work has been supported by Labex ESEP (ANR N° 2011-LABX-030

BIRDY - Planetary Geodesy of Small Bodies _through CubeSats in Autonomous Navigation

International audienceBringing a CubeSat that could autonomously navigate in the vicinity of small bodies would be an ideal platform to perform radio-science from multiple locations at low altitudes that are too risky for a mothercraft. The perturbations due to the asteroid during the orbit or multiple flybys of the CubeSat allow the reconstruction of its detailed gravitational field by planetary geodesy and, eventually, the identification of its internal structure. To this purpose, we are developing the BIRDY concept of interplanetary CubeSat, accompanying a mothercraft for planetary geodesy of small bodies (asteroids, comets, satellites). Besides, classical radio tracking can be coupled to other techniques such as space astrometry and VLBI [1]. Interplanetary CubeSats need to overcome a few challenges before reaching successfully their deep-space objectives: link to ground-segment, energy supply, protection against radiation, etc. Besides, the Birdy CubeSat - as our basis concept - is designed to be accompanying a mothercraft, and relies partly on the main mission for reaching the target, as well as on data-link with the Earth. Autonomous navigation could then provide a way to perform a new kind of planetary geodesy, particularly well adapted to small bodies..Future mission for space exploration or sample return could hence take profit of having accompanying nano-orbiters, as complementary or deported instruments with increased autonomy. Furthermore, in the current context of more and more small satellites being launched in solo or in network/swarms missions, the operational cost of such projects is booming; especially because of the required ground segment. This kind of technology could greatly increase the feasibility of such projects (by moving the decision making to the satellite), for example high frequency imaging of the Earth, Radio Interferometry from space, simultaneous multi-point in situ study of the solar wind, etc. A performant autonomous navigation function for small satellite could hence unlock new scientific missions and commercial applications.This autonomous attitude and orbit determination and control function (a.k.a autonomous navigation) for small satellites, in addition to radio science fro planetary missions, is currently being developed by a Consortium made of laboratories LESIA and IMCCE from Observatory of Paris in France, and the National Cheng Kung University and ODYSSEUS Space Co., Ltd in Taiwan. Before going to deep-space, and performing planetary science, our project will start with BIRDY-1 orbiting the Earth, to validate the concepts of adopted propulsion, IFOD and orbit maintenance, as well as the radio-science.[1] Gurvits, L. et al. 2013. Planetary Radio Interferometry and Doppler Experiment (PRIDE) for the JUICE mission. EPSC 8, 357.This work has been supported by Labex ESEP (ANR N° 2011-LABX-030

BIRDY : BIRDY: an interplanetary CubeSat to collect radiation data on the way to Mars and back

International audienceThe studies of the space radiations are facing a lack of observational data. Simultaneous measurements from multiple locations in the solar system are necessary to properly assess the knowledge about the solar wind and the cosmic rays. A specialized CubeSat is a smart and cheap solution to take part in the global effort: a new concept for autonomous space probes will be demonstrated by BIRDY. Moreover the "CubeSat" standard allows numerous students to get involved in the BIRDY team, managed by two major institutions for space science and technology, in France at the Paris Observatory and in Taiwan at the National Cheng Kung University. A prototype shall be ready to fly in Geostationary Transfer Orbit from 2018, before a flight model being sent on a free-return Earth-Mars-Earth trajectory

BIRDY : BIRDY: an interplanetary CubeSat to collect radiation data on the way to Mars and back

International audienceThe studies of the space radiations are facing a lack of observational data. Simultaneous measurements from multiple locations in the solar system are necessary to properly assess the knowledge about the solar wind and the cosmic rays. A specialized CubeSat is a smart and cheap solution to take part in the global effort: a new concept for autonomous space probes will be demonstrated by BIRDY. Moreover the "CubeSat" standard allows numerous students to get involved in the BIRDY team, managed by two major institutions for space science and technology, in France at the Paris Observatory and in Taiwan at the National Cheng Kung University. A prototype shall be ready to fly in Geostationary Transfer Orbit from 2018, before a flight model being sent on a free-return Earth-Mars-Earth trajectory

BIRDY: an interplanetary CubeSat to collect radiation data on the way to Mars and back to prepare the future manned missions

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