James Cutler, Department of Aerospace Engineering – University of Michigan, Patrick Seitzer, Department of Astronomy – University of Michigan, Chris H. Lee, Department of Astronomy – University of Michigan, Peter Washabaugh, Department of Aerospace Engineering – University of Michigan, Srinagesh Sharma, Department of Aerospace Engineering – University of Michigan, Robert Gitten, Department of Aerospace Engineering – University of Michigan, Fabrizio Piergentili, Fabio Santoni, Sapienza University of Rome, Tommaso Cardona, Sapienza University of Rome, Giammarco Cialone, Sapienza University of Rome, Lorenzo Frezza, Sapienza University of Rome, Andrea Gianfermo, Sapienza University of Rome, Paolo Marzioli, Sapienza University of Rome, Sylvia Masillo, Sapienza University of Rome, Alice Pellegrino, Sapienza University of Rome, Thomas Schildknecht, University of Bern, Donald Bedard, Royal Military College of Canada, Heather Cowardin, University of Texas-El Paso, Jacobs/Jets
Keywords: CubeSats, orbit determination, optical tracking
Abstract:
Project LEDsat is an international project (USA, Italy, and Canada) designed to improve the identification and orbit determination of CubeSats in low Earth orbit (LEO). The goal is to fly CubeSats with multiple methods of measuring positions on the same spacecraft: GPS, optical tracking, satellite laser ranging (SLR), and radio tracking. These satellites will be equipped with light emitting diodes (LEDs) for optical tracking while the satellite is in Earth shadow. It will be possible to compare the orbits determined from different methods to examine the systematic and random errors associated with each method. Furthermore, if each LEDsat has a different flash pattern, then it will be possible to distinguish closely spaced satellites shortly after deployment. The Sapienza University of Rome 3U CubeSat URSA MAIOR with LEDs and retro-reflectors was launched in June 2017 and is working on orbit. Sapienza has designed a 1U CubeSat follow-on mission dedicated to LED tracking, which was selected for possible launch in 2018 in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ‘Fly Your Satellite’ program. The University of Michigan is designing a 3U version with LEDs, GPS receiver, SLR, and radio tracking. The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) is leading a Canadian effort for a LEDsat mission as well. All three organizations have a program of testing LEDs for space use to predict the effects of the LEO space environment.
Date of Conference: September 19-22, 2017
Track: Poster