NetSat: A Four Pico/Nano-satellite Mission for Demonstration of Autonomous Formation Flying

Paper number

IAC-15,D1,4,2,x29671

Coauthor

Prof. Klaus Schilling, University Wuerzburg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Philip Bangert, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Stephan Busch, University of Würzburg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Slavi Dombrovski, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Andreas Freimann, University Wuerzburg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Genaro Islas, University of Würzburg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Alexander Kleinschrodt, University of Würzburg, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Alexander Kramer, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Tiago Nogueira, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Dmitry Ris, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Julian Scharnagl, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Dr. Tristan Tzschichholz, Zentrum für Telematik, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Liang Zhou, University of Würzburg, Germany

Year

2015

Abstract

Innovative scientific and commercial missions based on fractionated space systems require a high-level of on-board autonomy and inter-satellite coordination. Such missions may take advantage of small satellite formations to provide high temporal or spatial coverage and resolution at reasonable costs. In this context, the Networked Pico-Satellite Distributed System Control (NetSat) mission conducted at the Zentrum für Telematik e.V. will demonstrate in orbit the autonomous control of a formation of four pico/nano-satellites.

The development and in-orbit demonstration of such a system will make significant contributions in the areas of on-board autonomy, distributed formation control, relative navigation, inter-satellite communication and protocols, and miniaturised attitude and orbit determination and control systems for future satellite formation flying missions.

With tentative launch in the period 2017/18, NetSat leverages on previous work at the Zentrum für Telematik e.V. and the University of Würzburg in the areas of pico-satellite technologies and distributed space systems. Key technologies in the area of communication, attitude determination and control and on-board data handling have already been demonstrated in orbit in the scope of the “Universität Würzburg Experimental (UWE)” satellite program with UWE-1, UWE-2 and UWE-3. The fourth satellite of the UWE series is currently in preparation and will test a miniaturised electrical propulsion system in-orbit.

This contribution starts by introducing the NetSat mission objectives, requirements and drivers, discussing how they can be implemented in highly constrained pico/nano-satellite platforms. Different formation orbit geometries are evaluated with respect to their potential future applications and their ΔV cost, taking into account different formation orbit acquisition and maintenance strategies. Finally a mission design is described, including a preliminary satellite system design, system budgets and target formation orbit.

Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant “NetSat”.

Abstract document

IAC-15,D1,4,2,x29671.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-15,D1,4,2,x29671.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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