Doyle Hall, Boeing – LTS
Keywords: NROC
Abstract:
The Naval Research Laboratory developed and launched the spherical SpinSat satellite to accomplish two primary goals: 1) study the performance of a new class of micro-thrusters, and 2) provide a calibrated drag experiment to characterize Earths upper atmosphere during the current period of relatively high solar activity. The 55.9 cm diameter aluminum sphere is equipped with a set of Electrically-Controlled Solid Propellant (ESP) thrusters, oriented to allow both translational and spin-up/spin-down maneuvers. To facilitate remote observations of the satellites spin rate, the spheres exterior features a reflectance pattern much like that of a beach-ball, as well as an ensemble of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged along a meridian (i.e., a line of longitude) which can be turned on for brief periods. The Air Force Research Laboratory has conducted optical observations of SpinSat from several ground-based sensors, and more are planned. The observational goals include: 1) obtaining time-resolved, multi-band measurements of the satellite actively firing its micro-thrusters, 2) characterizing the detectability and spatial/temporal morphology of the ESP thruster plumes, 3) measuring the spin rate of the satellite with the LEDs turned on, ideally before and after a spin rate adjustment maneuver, and 4) measuring the spin rate of the satellite in its completely inactive mode, using only passive observations of reflected light and/or thermal emissions.
Date of Conference: September 15-18, 2015
Track: Poster