QTEX aerobrake version : Demonstration around the Earth
- Paper number
IAC-06-E2.3.01
- Author
Mr. Yotsumoto Kazuhiko, Kyushu University, Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Toshiya Hanada, Kyushu University, Japan
- Coauthor
Dr. Hiroshi Hirayama, Kyushu University, Japan
- Year
2006
- Abstract
We are now developing “QTEX” (KYUshu university Tethered satellite Experiments) and “QTEX-PR”. QTEX is a 50-kg class satellite which has two QTEX-PRs connected with a thin tether. Its main mission is to demonstrate tether deployment based on a simple mechanism and control. QTEX-PR is a full functional satellite and the objective of the development is to conduct the demonstration of satellite bus system by preceding with QTEX.As a mission of the series of QTEX in the future, we are progressing the exploration project of the Jovian system which is considered as a scaled-down model of the solar system. To investigate technical issues to insert a space probe into an orbit around the Jupiter by an aerocapture using its atmosphere, we demonstrate it around the earth. This paper introduces the demonstration satellite around the earth. The mission sequence is as follows: 1) it is inserted into GTO (Geostational Transfer Orbit) then two satellites are separated; 2) the velocity of both satellites are changed using rotation around center of gravity which is excited by periodical gravity-gradient forces while the tether extends and after extention, and then each satellite transfers their own orbit by cutting the tether; and 3) one satellite reenters into the Earth’s atmosphere measuring the temperature and pressure data with respect to altitude until it disappears. From this, we can extend the possibility of tether satellite on GTO and verify the design method of structure, orbit and so on for the aerocapture satellite using tether around the Earth.
- Abstract document