Constellation Pathfinder: A University Nanosatellite Project
Abstract
Under the task of nanosatellite mission design, we developed a mission concept that enables hundreds of one-kilogram spacecraft to be placed into orbit with a single mothership. We performed trade studies to arrive at a positive feasibility assessment. The results of that study were described in two publications. Second, under the task of spacecraft design, we developed nanosatellite designs needed to enable constellation missions. Design studies were conducted and subsystems prototyped, including a spin-table and launcher concept for a small stack of nanosatellites. Engineering design studies of this work appeared in the refereed literature. Instruments to be flown on such a small craft have been specified and then developed as part of a related AF SBIR effort. Undergraduate students (>100 in the Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering departments) played an enormous role in the mission and spacecraft definitions of the Constellation Pathfinder project. In addition to five publications, numerous invited and contributed presentations of these studies have been presented at national and international meetings.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 16, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA408696
Entities
People
- Harlan Spence
- Harry E. Petschek
Organizations
- Boston University