Mission Analysis of the HiNCube Pico Satellite Project
- Paper number
IAC-08.E1.1.6
- Author
Mr. Jan Magne Eldal Hynne, Narvik University College, Norway
- Coauthor
Prof. Frank Vedal, Narvik University College, Norway
- Year
2008
- Abstract
This paper reflects the results of a two year effort in elaborating the mission analysis of the HiNCube pico-satellite project at Narvik University College. The contribution from the study of the subsystems has led to an extensive documentation about the feasibility and to the possibility of the project realization. Mission analysis is the first thing to do when initiating a project. This is so, because the project members want to know what the project is aiming at. What are the goals and why do we want to put such a lot of effort into this? Is it feasible? Is it worth doing?
The HiNCube project was started in the spring of 2006 at Narvik University College, where a group of students began planning the construction of a CubeSat. The students are divided into different subgroups that make different parts of the satellite:
- Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS), This group is in charge of controlling the satellite
- Electronic Power Supply (EPS), Producing power to the satellite with the use of solar cells
- Payload (PAY), Assembly of a camera and housekeeping devices, such as thermal sensors
- Communication (COMM), Communication between the satellite and the ground station
- Integration and Testing (INTTEST), Assembly of the system, and responsible for that the different subsystems work together
- Ground Station (GROUND), Operating the ground station at Narvik University College and Svalbard
- On Board Data Handling (OBDH), Controlling the dataflow in the satellite, encoding of camera data
- Project Management Team (PMT), Organization of the project
- Mission Analysis (MIAS), Responsible for mission analysis
- Public Relations (PR), Promotion of the project
Launch of CubeSat satellites are organized and relatively low-cost through existing concepts. The HiNCube student satellite launch will be done piggybacked with other satellites, and foreseen in the beginning of 2009. Many universities already perform CubeSat related projects, and the potential of international exchange of information is large, and easily available through the Internet.
The purpose of this paper is to present the current status of the HiNCube project, and it attempts to establish a knowledge base for facilitating the design process and support later research. This paper will analyze the mission with focus on each subsystem, the CubeSat, and the results suggest an essential point of departure for the following works, and provide a thorough understanding of the satellite project and the basic idea behind HiNCube student satellite project.
The paper also aims at paving the way for future CubeSat projects by providing details on lessons learned through the initial phases of the project.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.E1.1.6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.