A case study of a motorised flexible IOD platform: the UNISAT-7 and REGULUS mission.

Paper number

IAC-21,B4,6A,10,x65905

Author

Ms. Fabiana Milza, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Elena Toson, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Nicolas Bellomo, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Prof. Daniele Pavarin, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Mr. Riccardo Di Roberto, Italy, G.A.U.S.S. Srl

Coauthor

Mr. Nicola Sparvieri, Italy, G.A.U.S.S. Srl

Coauthor

Prof. Filippo Graziani, Italy, G.A.U.S.S. Srl

Coauthor

Dr. Fabio Trezzolani, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Marco Manente, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Mr. Devis Paulon, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Alessandro Barbato, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Mirko Magarotto, Italy, University of Padova - DII/CISAS

Coauthor

Dr. Riccardo Mantellato, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Mr. Lorenzo Cappellini, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Antonio Selmo, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Mr. Marco Minute, Italy, T4i

Coauthor

Dr. Matteo Duzzi, Italy, T4i

Year

2021

Abstract

The rise of the New Space economy and the ever-increasing development of commercial space have brought new players in the space industry ecosystem. This evolution of the space market is characterized by the necessity of rapid integration and testing phase, to minimize the time-to-market. The growth of opportunities of IOD missions and their performances play a key role in enabling this progress of the industry.

GAUSS Srl and Technology for Propulsion and Innovation Spa (T4i) decided in 2018 to join forces and forge a strategic alliance to motorise a flexible platform designed to allow New Space companies to fulfil their IOD mission. 

Gauss (a spin-off company of Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale, Sapienza University of Roma) has been working on small satellites since 1990s, when they started the development of the first UNISAT satellite, then launched in 2000. 

T4i, born as spin-off of propulsion research group of the University of Padua, has a thorough expertise on chemical and electrical propulsion systems for small satellites. 

The latest addiction to the GAUSS UNISAT series is UNISAT-7, a 32 kg microsatellite built on the extensive experienced gained from previous missions. It includes several GAUSS proprietary subsystems developed for Earth Observation applications, sat-to-ground optical links, navigation, power, RF, and Smallsat in-orbit-deployments. All these subsystems are tested in orbit in specific IOD missions. 

Moreover, UNISAT-7 integrates a precise ADCS solution and the brand new T4i electric propulsion system, named REGULUS. REGULUS will allow UNISAT-7 to modify its final orbit, as well as to execute housekeeping manoeuvres for drag compensation. 

REGULUS is a propulsive unit based on MEPT (Magnetically Enhanced Plasma Thruster) technology and is T4i very first product that has ever flown into space. Its envelope is 1.5 U of volume, it is equipped with solid iodine propellant and its main features are a thrust level of 0.55 mN and Isp of 550 s at 50 W of input power, and wet mass of 2.5 kg at 3000 Ns of Itot. REGULUS is designed to serve nanosatellite platforms from 6U to 24U and CubeSat carriers.

The integration took place in GAUSS white chamber in Rome in December 2020 and the launch is scheduled in March 2021 from Baikonur as a secondary payload of Soyuz-2-1a/Fregat.

Performances of REGULUS propulsion system are evaluated after the initial commissioning of UNISAT-7.

In this paper the results and performances of this mission will be analysed and shared with the IAC community.

Abstract document

IAC-21,B4,6A,10,x65905.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-21,B4,6A,10,x65905.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.