Using Student Space AssetsUsing Student Space AssetsFor Atmospheric Science ResearchFor Atmospheric Science Research

NSF Workshop for Small Satellite MissionsNSF Workshop for Small Satellite MissionsFor Space Weather and Atmospheric ResearchFor Space Weather and Atmospheric ResearchGeorge Mason UniversityGeorge Mason UniversityArlington, VAArlington, VAMay 17, 2007May 17, 2007

Professor Bob Twiggs, DirectorProfessor Bob Twiggs, DirectorSpace and Systems Development LaboratorySpace and Systems Development LaboratoryStanford UniversityStanford University

OverviewOverview

• Student satellite programsStudent satellite programs

• Commercial – off the shelf Commercial – off the shelf satellitessatellites

• Training students to do Training students to do satellitessatellites

• Future student space programsFuture student space programs

• SummarySummary

Leave Message for Leave Message for TodayToday

Student satellite program are Student satellite program are more mature than you may more mature than you may expect and will continue to expect and will continue to advance rapidly.advance rapidly.

Collaboration is the fuel of Collaboration is the fuel of success.success.

Small Satellite Missions:Small Satellite Missions:Educate students in engineering & Educate students in engineering & sciencescienceProduce innovationProduce innovationTests new technologyTests new technologyAre doing real science at low costsAre doing real science at low costs

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

NUSat – Utah State University / Weber State University, UtahNUSat – Utah State University / Weber State University, UtahLaunched – Launched – Space Shuttle ChallengerSpace Shuttle Challenger

19851985

Funded by: Funded by: State Economic $ State Economic $ Paid Launch: Paid Launch: State Economic $State Economic $

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

WeberSat – Weber State University, Utah/AMSATWeberSat – Weber State University, Utah/AMSATLaunched – Launched – Arianne IVArianne IV

19901990

Funded by: Funded by: State Economic $ State Economic $ Paid Launch: Paid Launch: State Economic $State Economic $

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

OPAL – Stanford University, CA / The Aerospace CorpOPAL – Stanford University, CA / The Aerospace CorpLaunched – Launched – STPSTP MinotaurMinotaur

20002000

Funded by: Funded by: Industry DonationsIndustry DonationsPaid Launch: Paid Launch: STPSTP

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

SAPPHIRE – Stanford University, CASAPPHIRE – Stanford University, CALaunched – Launched – STPSTP AthenaAthena

20012001

Funded by: Funded by: Industry Donations Industry Donations Paid Launch: Paid Launch: STPSTP

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

QuakeSat – QuakeFinder, CA / Stanford UniversityQuakeSat – QuakeFinder, CA / Stanford UniversityLaunched – Launched – DneprDnepr

20032003

QuakeSat

Funded by: Funded by: IndustryIndustryPaid Launch: Paid Launch: IndustryIndustry

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

GeneSat1 – NASA ARC/Stanford University, CAGeneSat1 – NASA ARC/Stanford University, CA / Santa Clara University/ Santa Clara University

Launched – Launched – STP MinotaurSTP Minotaur

20062006

Funded by: Funded by: NASA ARCNASA ARCPaid Launch: Paid Launch: STPSTP

Student satellite programs Student satellite programs

MAST– Tethers Unlimited, WA/Stanford University MAST– Tethers Unlimited, WA/Stanford University / Santa Clara University/ Santa Clara University

Launched – Launched – DneprDnepr

20072007

Funded by: Funded by: NASA NASA MSFCMSFCPaid Launch: Paid Launch: IndustryIndustry

GadgGadget et

Hyotether Picture taken by Gadget Hyotether Picture taken by Gadget in spacein space

http://mtech.dk/thomsen/space/cubesat.php

Facts about CubeSat ProgramFacts about CubeSat Program

2003 – 2007 --- 4 years2003 – 2007 --- 4 years

Total Pico/NanoSats delivered to Total Pico/NanoSats delivered to launch = 32launch = 32

Total Pico/NanoSats lost on launch = 14Total Pico/NanoSats lost on launch = 14

Total Pico/NanoSats now in orbit Total Pico/NanoSats now in orbit

= = 1818 % had some contact = ~ % had some contact = ~ 78%78% % had full contact = ~ % had full contact = ~ 50%50%

Educational value = 100% Educational value = 100%

Coming - Coming - CommercialCommercialoff the shelf off the shelf

SatellitesSatellites

CubeSatCubeSat Development Kit - Development Kit - $5,000$5,000

EPS

Processor

Radio UHF & S-Bands

Coming: Solar Panels New EPS Antennas Deorbiting ADCS – 3-axis

CubeSatKit CubeSatKit Payload

Sizes

1U 2U 3U

Training students to do Training students to do satellitessatellites

CricketSats - CricketSats - CanSatsCanSats

Training students to do satellitesTraining students to do satellites

Training students to do satellitesTraining students to do satellitesRocketsRockets

BalloonsBalloons

Training students to do satellitesTraining students to do satellites

February 11, February 11, 20072007

April 11, April 11, 20072007

Bigger Rockets - Bigger Rockets - suborbitalsuborbital

Training students to do Training students to do satellitessatellites

Future Student Future Student Programs?Programs?

There will be a private fundedStudent Lunar Spacecraft

Launched before End of this Decade

SummarySummary

Status of Student Status of Student Programs?Programs?• Successes - really low costsSuccesses - really low costs• Successes - despite no direct space Successes - despite no direct space industry supportindustry support• Getting launches despite US launch Getting launches despite US launch industryindustry• Bus technology maturingBus technology maturing• Soon – complete commercial CubeSat Soon – complete commercial CubeSat busbus

• Get experience in building, integration, opsGet experience in building, integration, ops• Make a contribution with new technologyMake a contribution with new technology• Increased interest in scientific Increased interest in scientific missionsmissions

Message to you today:Message to you today:

NSF – Universities NSF – Universities

Make a Deal Make a Deal Today!Today!

ThanksThanks

CubeSat science payloadsCubeSat science payloads

• Instrument component space qualification• Common secondary payload on all CubeSats

Radiation sensor Magnetometer

• Tethered satellites for constellations• Tethers for spaced sensors

• How do we match scientists to spacecraft developers?• Have universities test spacecraft bus on sounding rocket with science instruments?