A report describes upgraded CubeSat satellite elements for the interplanetary environment, with solar sail propulsion and the interplanetary superhighway for navigation and maneuvering. They can host small, capable instruments and optical telecommunications on a mission to map the composition of a sequence of near-Earth asteroids and planetary bodies.
Six technologies combine to enable a new architecture: CubeSat electronics and subsystems extended to operate in the interplanetary environment; optical telecommunications to enable very small, low-power uplink/downlink over interplanetary distances; solar sail propulsion to enable rendezvous with multiple targets using no propellant; navigation of the Interplanetary Super highway to enable multiple destinations over reasonable mission durations and achievable delta V; small, highly capable instrumentation enabling acquisition of high-quality scientific and exploration information; and onboard storage and processing of raw instrument data and navigation information to enable maximum utility of uplink and downlink telecom capacity.
This work was done by Robert L. Staehle, Pantazis Mouroulis, Thor O. Wilson, Hamid Hemmati, Abhijit Biswas, Martin W. Lo, Diana L. Blaney, and Paula J. Pingree of Caltech; Jordi Puig-Suari and Austin Williams of CalPoly San Luis Obispo; Louis Friedman and Bruce Betts of Planetary Society; and Tomas Svitek of Stellar Exploration for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. NPO-48195
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Interplanetary CubeSats
(reference NPO-48195) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document titled "Technical Support Package for Interplanetary CubeSats" (NPO-48195) from NASA Tech Briefs outlines advancements in CubeSat technology aimed at enhancing interplanetary exploration. It serves as a resource for understanding the capabilities and applications of CubeSats in the context of space missions.
Key highlights include the development of CubeSat electronics and subsystems that are designed to operate effectively in the interplanetary environment, addressing challenges such as radiation exposure and extended mission durations. The document emphasizes the importance of optical telecommunications, which enables low-power uplink and downlink communications over distances greater than 2 astronomical units (AU), facilitating data transmission from deep space.
One of the notable propulsion technologies discussed is solar sail propulsion, which allows CubeSats to rendezvous with multiple targets without the need for propellant. This innovative approach significantly reduces mission costs and increases the feasibility of exploring various celestial bodies. Additionally, the document mentions the concept of the Interplanetary Superhighway, which provides a framework for navigating multiple destinations efficiently, optimizing mission durations and achievable velocity changes (ΔV).
The document also highlights the integration of small, highly capable instrumentation, such as miniature imaging spectrometers, which can acquire high-quality scientific data and exploration information. Onboard storage and processing capabilities are emphasized to maximize the utility of communication bandwidth, ensuring that the most valuable data is transmitted back to Earth while minimizing operational staffing requirements.
Furthermore, the document categorizes different types of CubeSat missions, including cruisers, companions, orbiters, landers, and impactors, each with specific propulsion needs ranging from ballistic trajectories to self-propelled systems utilizing electric or solar sail technologies.
Overall, this Technical Support Package serves as a pre-decisional document for planning and discussion purposes, providing insights into the technological challenges and opportunities associated with interplanetary CubeSats. It encourages collaboration and innovation in the aerospace sector, inviting further inquiries and partnerships through NASA's Innovative Partnerships Office. The document underscores NASA's commitment to advancing space exploration through cutting-edge technology and strategic planning.
