An Overview and Initial In-Orbit Status of INDEX Satellite
- Paper number
IAC-05-B5.6.B.05
- Author
Dr. Yosuke Fukushima, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Hirobumi Saito, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Takahide Mizuno, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Seisuke Fukuda, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/ISAS, Japan
- Year
2005
- Abstract
A small satellite named “INDEX” will be launched by Dnepr Launching Vehicle from Baikonur in Kazakhstan as a piggy-back payload at the beginning of August 2005. This paper describes outline of INDEX for demonstration of advanced satellite technologies as well as for observation of fine structure of aurora and shows the launch readiness status. In addition, some preliminary reports on initial phase operation and quick results of its mission can be presented at the conference. INDEX is a 70kg and 50x50x50 cm3 dimension-class piggy-back satellite. Two solar-concentrated deployable paddles generate 150 [W] and three magnetic torquers and one momentum wheel consist of 0.2 [deg] accuracy three-axes stabilized attitude control system in 610[km] sun synchronous orbit. Some onboard components come from scientific satellites of ISAS/JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), for instance, two different type of sun sensors, OBC (Onboard Computer) and STT (Star Tracker). On the other hand, some were developed for this mission. Three aurora observation cameras with a monochromatic UV filter electron and ion spectrum analyzer to measure the particle phenomena together with the aurora imaging. The GPS receiver is one of spin-out products of the INDEX project. It’s becoming a de-facto standard component for small satellites in Japan. Several small satellite missions decided using it. Moreover, it is planning that some Japanese rockets carries the GPS receivers as supplement navigation equipments. Lithium-ion battery using lithium manganate is newly developed. It is a pouch-cell consisting of aluminum laminate material with plastic outer casing, which can be flight test sample using near-future consumer type butteries. INDEX has an Integrated Controller Unit (ICU) consisting of OBC and IOP (I/O Port board). IOP manages peripheral instruments including the sensors and the actuators. For sake of system compactness, there is no data bus outside of the ICU and all the instruments are controlled directly in the address of OBC. In other words, all data are gathered and distributed by a program running on the OBC. From the point of software, IOP is a kind of component architecture absorption layer. In usual system, this function was realized by hardware device drivers. The IOP plays such a role in spite of that it is hardware. The authors are trying to propose a kind of a software standard and IOP specification because most of software can be used in a system which has the IOP emulation codes in INDEX software development and test phase. That served us easy software development and test environment without EM or FM ICUs, especially in attitude control software. The IOP may make us possible to re-use flight software in other system which has the IOP without any further efforts. The last part of this presentation discuss on the lessons learned. The authors will show the development process of ICU, satellite flight panels, and some pit-hole when we use consumer’s components.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-B5.6.B.05.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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