UGV Proposal

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 1

UNSY 691 Proposal

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

UNSY 691 Graduate Capstone Proposal

Submitted to the Worldwide Campus

in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of

Master of Science in Unmanned Systems

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 2

Abstract

This individual project will outline and analyze the development of CubeSat technology

throughout the history of interplanetary space missions. The use of unmanned systems that are

larger than the current specifications of a CubeSat will be the foundation of research since the

research and development of large satellite and space probe missions were initially developed as

the primary exploration vehicle for various space agencies. A look at technical specifications and

internal components will be examined to help illustrate the progression of technology from the

inception of deep space exploration to present-day CubeSat design and mission probability. As

cost and sophistication of mission design increased over the years, there is an incentive to

produce smaller and less expensive technological devices that must perform tasks that were

previously performed by larger and more complex interplanetary vehicles. For this project, there

will need to be an analysis conducted to determine the plausibility of an interplanetary mission

by a CubeSat. Performing a comparative analysis to compare previous interplanetary missions to

a current CubeSat design and determine the plausibility of a CubeSat mission for interplanetary

exploration.

Keywords: Satellites, CubeSat, Interplanetary Exploration, Mission Analysis, Deep Space, Space

Probes

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 3

Proposal

This proposal is going to examine the plausibility of a CubeSat mission for interplanetary

exploration. By comparing past interplanetary exploration missions with current design

specifications and technical data provided by space agencies. Other scholarly sources that have

detailed information about design features of past missions and current design specifications for

CubeSats will be used in conjunction to provide credible information. Data and information

sources will be the core of this project since this will provide the information needed to convey

the message of a possible CubeSat interplanetary mission.

With NASA proposing the CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI), this project may establish

guidance on the development of technology in the future. The potential of this project may

establish a guideline for planners to develop a comprehensive plan of action when developing a

CubeSat design and mission for interplanetary exploration. CubeSats are in use for educational

and demonstrative purposes, but an expansive role into an exploration mission may further

expand mission requirements and place a greater focus on this technology and its potential for

other uses (Maciulis & Buzas, 2017).

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration

Statement of Project

The use of CubeSat technology has advanced in recent years, and low-cost options are

being developed to counter the cost of traditional satellites for exploratory uses and observation

(Poghosyan & Golkar, 2017). Technical observations will be made to include constraints of

available space within the launch vehicle. These technical observations will include a focus on

subsystems such as launch vehicle specifications, trajectory, and orbital insertion points.

Previous mission designs and current design techniques used onboard satellites will be examined

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 4

to find a trend of changes throughout the years of development. Set parameters of mass, volume,

and, propulsion system efficiency (total impulse) will be the foundation of research for

determining the plausibility for CubeSat missions onboard a conventional launch vehicle. These

parameters are set because of basic mission requirements for an interplanetary CubeSat mission

would require a CubeSat to propel itself through space, weigh less than 1,100 lbs. (300Kg), and

have a volume of 6U or less, 1U is equal to 10cm x 10cm x 10cm (Crusan &Galica, 2019).

NASA specifications for CubeSat size and weight will be the limits for CubeSats, and must

operate within these specifications (NASA, 2017). To convey the message of a CubeSat being

used for interplanetary exploration a literature review will need to establish the context of

CubeSat technology development and missions that involve planning and design of unmanned

space systems. Recommendations based on information and data collected will explain the

future of CubeSat operations through miniaturization of subsystems, development of propulsion

systems and weight constraints.

Research Hypothesis CubeSat design based on mass, volume, and propulsion efficiency has a

direct impact on mission efficiency when compared to traditional space probes.

HA: CubeSat design is more efficient than traditional size satellites when compared based on

mass, volume, and propulsion.

Null Hypothesis CubeSat design is no more efficient when compared to traditional size

satellites. This null hypothesis states that there is no gain in efficiency due to mass, volume, and

propulsion system.

H0: CubeSat design is no more efficient when compared to traditional satellites based on mass,

volume, and propulsion.

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 5

Examples of previous designs and missions date back into the 1950s and developments in

technology has progressed, but there is no need for CubeSats to be the primary space probe for

future missions (Shroer, 2008). Over the past 60 years, NASA has made leaps and bounds in

technology, and CubeSat operation may only be useful for demonstrations and Low Earth Orbit

(LEO) (Selva & Krejci, 2012). CubeSats may not be equipped to take on a long-duration mission

with miniaturized components and subsystem.

Based on complexity and number of components, the traditional size satellite may offer

more benefits to the customer and thus make it a better option since the technology is present to

construct larger satellites and probes. Approximately seven main systems are included in the

planning process which may render a CubeSat inoperable or compromised if onboard systems

fail. Seven systems are often included in the development and conceptual design of any

spacecraft (Erickson, et. al, 2010).

 Propulsion Systems

 Communications

 Guidance, Navigation, and Control

 Command and data handling

 Electrical Power System

 Thermal Control

 Structures

These systems can be the same onboard CubeSats as well as traditional size spacecraft, but

miniaturization of these subsystems will dictate the effectiveness of each system based on

current technology and developments of processing units. Commercially available systems

which can be purchased online are mass produced to reduce the economies of scale when

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 6

manufacturing CubeSats. Modifications can be made to the CubeSat design under various

conditions to fit mission requirements (Pumpkin, 2019). Companies such as Pumpkin Space

Systems and VACCO Industries which sell CubeSat kits and propulsion systems to consumers

for private and academic use can be a source of materials and components (VACCO Industries,

2019). This may help further validate the research hypothesis because of availability through

common means of acquisition.

Program Outcomes will be addressed include the following MSUS Core Competency

Outcomes

Program Outcome #1: Analyze the fundamentals of unmanned systems, including the

technological, social, environmental, and political aspects of the system to examine, compare,

analyze, and recommend conclusions.

 Analyze the fundamentals of unmanned systems by researching on various CubeSat

technology developments and previous unmanned missions to distant celestial bodies.

 Technological, social, environmental, political aspects will be addressed through means

of comparison of each mission and search for more efficient and effective means of

exploration.

 Recommendations will be developed through statistical analysis.

Program Outcome #2: Compare and contrast current unmanned system issues, identify

contributing factors, and formulate strategies to address or further investigate.

 Comparison of multiple unmanned missions and platforms will identify contributing

factors of past and current unmanned systems issues involving CubeSat development and

construction.

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 7

 Formulation of strategies will be addressed or further investigated through the research

and analysis conducted throughout this paper by researching strategies used and a

literature review that support development of technology that will enhance CubeSat

technology.

Program Outcome #3: Evaluate and recommend the incorporation of new technologies,

methods, processes, or concepts with current unmanned system applications, management

practices, or operational policies.

 New technologies and current processes are examined and evaluated for incorporation

into new CubeSat designs.

 Techniques for construction, propulsion, miniaturization will address current applications

of unmanned systems.

 Mission planning, operational policies and procedures will be examined to determine the

best management practices when operating CubeSat missions.

Program Outcome #4: Critically justify and validate unmanned system design configurations to

support safe, efficient, and effective operations in applicable domains (air, space, ground, and

maritime), including assessing appropriateness of major elemental components; evaluating

limitations and constraints; formulating theory of operation; and supporting perceived need.

 The space domain will be the primary applicable domain of operation after launch and

insertion. Considering the launch vehicle and trajectory to determine effectiveness and

efficiency will justify the configuration and design.

 Constraints and other limiting factors are considered when developing the theory of

operation and supporting the perceived need of a CubeSat for interplanetary exploration.

Program Outcome #5: Effectively communicate concepts, designs, theories, and

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 8

supporting material with others in the unmanned systems field.

 The American Psychological Association (APA) will be the guide to effectively

communicate concepts, designs, theories, and supporting materials.

 Using various techniques to communicate the concepts, designs, and theories pf CubeSat

operations and compared these factors with other techniques used in previous missions

and vehicles.

 Various sources of information will be required to convey the message and explain the

entire idea of this project to the readers.

 Supporting material will include scholarly articles and government sources to make a

credible argument on the use of CubeSats for interplanetary exploration.

Program Outcome #6: Investigate a current unmanned systems research problem; complete a

thorough review of the scholarly literature; formulate hypotheses; collect and appropriately

analyze data; and, interpret and report research findings to improve the field of unmanned

systems or to provide solutions to an unmanned systems application problem.

 Current CubeSat technology and proposals for future mission concepts and developments

are researched through literature and analysis to provide solutions in unmanned systems.

 Using data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and VACCO Industries to compile

applicable missions from randomly selected past and current spacecraft missions. This

will serve as the sample of spacecraft that will be used to conduct the research.

 A One-Way ANOVA test will be conducted to explain the differences, and determine if

there is more efficiency in CubeSat design or there is no efficient gain in CubeSat design

when compared to traditional size spacecraft.

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 9

 Since two groups of spacecrafts will be tested to find any differences in efficiency when

compared based on mass, volume, and propulsion as parameters for this study. This will

be the most effective statistical test performed to validate assumptions of efficiency of

CubeSats.

 The assumptions from the hypothesis will be met because mass, volume, and propulsion

are significantly less than that of traditional spacecraft and should require less energy to

operate and construct.

 An a-priori power analysis was conducted using G*Power using the following criterion,

power of .95, an alpha level of significance .05, and 3 predictors. The minimum sample

size required was determined to be 64. A total of 128 samples (64 traditional spacecraft

and 64 CubeSats) from databases of past and current spacecraft missions. Dataset one

consisted of a mean mass, volume, and propulsion efficiency (seconds). This sample size

adequately exceeded the minimum sample size determination.

Development of CubeSat Technology for Interplanetary Exploration 10

References

Crusan, J., & Galica, C. (2019). NASA's CubeSat launch initiative: Enabling broad access to

space. Acta Astronautica, 157, 51-60. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.08.048

Erickson, L. K., & ebrary, I. (2010). Space flight: History, technology, and operations. Lanham,

Md: Government Institutes.

Maciulis, L., & Buzas, V. (2017). LituanicaSAT-2: Design of the 3U in-orbit technology

demonstration CubeSat. IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Magazine, 32(6), 34-45.

doi:10.1109/MAES.2017.150245

Nelson, S., & Sawhill, S. (2017). Advances in CubeSat propulsion, launch technology.

Aerospace America, 55(11), 54.

Poghosyan, A., & Golkar, A. (2017). CubeSat evolution: Analyzing CubeSat capabilities for

conducting science missions. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 88, 59-83.

doi:10.1016/j.paerosci.2016.11.002

Pumpkin Space Systems. (2019). Featured Products.

https://www.pumpkinspace.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Schroer, R. B. (2008). Unmanned satellites [part two, NASA at 50]. IEEE Aerospace and

Electronic Systems Magazine, 23(10), 29-31. doi:10.1109/MAES.2008.4667624

Selva, D., & Krejci, D. (2012). A survey and assessment of the capabilities of cubesats for earth

observation. Acta Astronautica, 74, 50-68. doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.12.014

VACCO Industries. (2012). CubeSat Propulsion Systems. https://www.cubesat-propulsion.com/