University Nanosatellite Program ION-F Constellation

Abstract

The Space Engineering program at Utah State University has developed a small satellite, known as USUSat, under funding from AFOSR, AFRL, NASA and Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory. This satellite was designed and significantly manufactured by students in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments within the College of Engineering. USUSat is one of three spacecraft being designed for the Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F). This formation comprises three 15 kg. spacecraft designed and built in cooperation by Utah State University, University of Washington, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. The ION-F satellites are being designed and built by students at the three universities, with close coordination to insure compatibility for launch, deployment, and the formation flying mission. The JON-F mission is part of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) University Nanosatellite Program, which provides technology development and demonstrations for the TechSat2l Program. The University Nanosatellite Program involves 10 universities building nanosatellites for a launch in 2004 on two separate space shuttle missions. Additional support for the formation flying demonstration has been provided by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA416943

Entities

People

  • Charles Swenson
  • Frank Redd
  • Rees Fullmer

Organizations

  • Utah State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Control Systems
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Satellite Buses
  • Small Satellites
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Shuttles
  • Space Systems
  • Space Transportation
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Systems Engineering

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers