Proposed solution is for 3U CubeSat keeping into consideration "Conformity" & "Durability" provided. It suggests Advanced 3d printing & Advanced Embedded Electronics to overcome mass & volume constraints. Also it is cost effective & will be built rapidly because of 3d printing. Micro pulsed plasma thrusters (μ PPT) are suggested as electric propulsion system for attitude control & bus stability. Ka band & launching CubeSat to Geostationary Equatorial Orbit(GEO) are suggested for an assured communications capability & enhanced field of view respectively.
3U Cubesat: 10cm x 10cm x 30cm
• Standard 3U host-side basic avionics takes up 1.5U, leaving <1.5U available for a payload.
Payload Volume: Range from 1.5U
Payload Mass: Up to 2.7kg for a 1.5U payload
1. To have maximum coverage or Field of View, CubeSats can be launched to Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO). CubeSats placed there will see entire hemisphere of the planet as long as they are in that orbit.
2. The suggestion of using Ka band can provide following advantages to the Special Operations Missions.
• Less congested & highly efficient.
• Higher Ka-band operating frequency
enables high bandwidth data throughput
(10Mbit/s...500 Mbit/s+)
• Ka-band satellite broadband is a proven technology, delivering high speed services.
• Ka-band introduces higher download and
upload speeds at lower cost.
So it will improve the responsiveness of space capabilities and provide Special Operations Forces operators with tactically relevant information by reducing tasking and data dissemination timelines. It will help Special Operations Forces missions by transferring audio, video, and data files from man-portable, low-profile, remotely located field units to deployable ground stations terminals using efficient Ka-band.
3. Volume & Mass constraints are overcome by using advanced 3d printing & embedded electronics to make CubeSat efficient & thus reserving enough space for Payloads(communications, radar, and camera).
Power System for 3U CubeSat
• Electrical Power Supply(EPS) Unit
• Lithium Batteries
• Solar Panels
Main features:
• Photovoltaic power up to 60 W-100W
• Two regulated power buses: 3.3V@5A and 5V@4A.
• Up to six 3.3V@3A outputs.
• Up to six 5V@3A outputs.
• Battery capacity: 2600-5200 mAh
Thermal Control Louvers are suggested for thermal control.
Benefits
Requires no power for thermal control, as it provides passive actuation of flaps via bimetallic springs.
Can be customized while still maintaining a standard form factor; the modular design can be produced in large quantities and swapped into various sized plates according to the need of CubeSat for thermal control.
Having multiple bi-metallic spring design, so if one spring fails then only one pair of flaps will be inactive.
It can be 3d printed to create lightweighted, easily reproduceable flap.
SWIFT-KTX - Ka-band transceiver
The SWIFT-KTX is a Ka-band transceiver that can provide high-speed uplink and downlink capability at frequencies of 17-36 GHz with 100 MHz of bandwidth.
Availability: EM expected 2018Q3
SWIFT-KTX - Ka-band transceiver
The SWIFT-KTX is a Ka-band transceiver that can provide high-speed uplink and downlink capability at frequencies of 17-36 GHz with 100 MHz of bandwidth.
Availability: EM expected 2018Q3
Since CubeSats in Geostationary Equatorial Orbit (GEO) will have certain limitations with magnetic torque rods or momentum wheels. So electric propulsion system, micro pulsed plasma thrusters (μ PPT) can be utilized for bus stability & attitude control. Micro pulsed plasma thrusters can be tightly packaged, easily printed, and can provide sufficient propulsive capabilities.
Advanced 3d Printing & Embedded Electronics are suggested to overcome volume, mass constraints & to reserve enough space for payload. Micro Pulsed Plasma Thrusters (μ PPT) as electric propulsion system for attitude control are to be embedded in the 3 d printed structure. Skilfully embedding items such as propulsion, antennas and other electronic components into the printed structure requires a little advancement in techniques. Rather than just using 3d printing to print specific components, the effort can be focused to fabricate a complete, integrated system.
