The TechEdSat-N Series: A Collaborative Technology Development Platform in the Nano-Satellite Form Factor

Murbach, M S, ; Guarneros, A ; Alena, R ; Papadopoulos, P ; Tanner, F ; Wheless, J ; Smith, S ; Salas, A ; Williams, N

关键词: CUBESATS;    NANOSATELLITES;    COMMAND AND CONTROL;    DEPLOYMENT;    WIRELESS COMMUNICATION;    MISSION PLANNING;    STANDARDIZATION;    ELECTRONIC MAIL;    INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION;   

RP-ID  :  ARC-E-DAA-TN56618

学科分类：航空航天科学

美国|英语

来源: NASA Technical Reports Server

【 摘 要 】

The TechEdSat-1 (TES-1) was the first U.S. CubeSat to be deployed from the ISS (International Space Station). This permitted the initiation of a flight series that has recently de-orbited the 6th nano-satellite with subsequent numbers 7-10 under development. The nano-satellites range from 1U (1 unit) to 6U (TechEdSat-8) but have the critical ISS Safety design features standardized in order to focus on the particular experiment objectives. Incremental experimental development has included unique communication subsystems such as command/control of the nanosatellite through email commands -as well as a recent record for Wifi transmission. Also, the thermophysics of controlled drag devices (Exo-Brake) has been developed which will prelude sample return and planetary exploration applications. The successful "rapid incremental experiment" approach has also been incorporated into collaborations with academia, permitting professors/student interns to be exposed to the rigors of space mission hardware design and execution. The TechEdSat-8, a linear 6U configuration, allows for 5 different groups to contribute an "experiment, sensor, or sub-system" through a well-defined common interface. Lastly, the flying laboratory concept is helpful in developing future interplanetary nano-satellite subsystems which will advance exploration goals by allowing rapid demonstration/validation first in LEO (Low Earth Orbit).