DISCOVERER - Developing Technologies to Enable Commercial Satellite Operations in Very Low Earth Orbits

Paper number

IAC-20,C2,6,12,x59301

Author

Dr. Peter C.E. Roberts, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Nicholas H. Crisp, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Steve Edmondson, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Sarah Haigh, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Mr. Brandon A. Holmes, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Ms. Sabrina Livadiotti, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Mr. Alejandro Macario Rojas, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Vitor Oiko, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Katharine Smith, United Kingdom, University of Manchester

Coauthor

Ms. Luciana Sinpetru, United Kingdom, The University of Manchester

Coauthor

Dr. Jonathan Becedas, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems

Coauthor

Ms. Rosa María Domínguez, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems

Coauthor

Ms. Valeria Sulliotti-Linner, Spain, Elecnor Deimos Satellite Systems

Coauthor

Mr. Simon Christensen, Denmark, GomSpace Aps

Coauthor

Mr. Thomas Kauffman Jensen, Denmark, GomSpace Aps

Coauthor

Mr. Jens Nielsen, Denmark, GomSpace Aps

Coauthor

Dr. Morten Bisgaard, Denmark, GomSpace ApS

Coauthor

Mr. Yung-An Chan, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, Universität Stuttgart

Coauthor

Dr. Georg H. Herdrich, Germany, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Mr. Francesco Romano, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Prof. Stefanos Fasoulas, Germany, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Mr. Constantin Traub, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Dr. Daniel Garcia-Almiñana, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH

Coauthor

Ms. Marina García-Berenguer, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH

Coauthor

Dr. Silvia Rodriguez-Donaire, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH

Coauthor

Dr. Miquel Sureda, Spain, UPC-BarcelonaTECH

Coauthor

Dr. Dhiren Kataria, United Kingdom, University College London (UCL)

Coauthor

Ms. Badia Belkouchi, France, Euroconsult

Coauthor

Mr. Alexis Conte, France, Euroconsult

Coauthor

Mr. Simon Seminari, France, Euroconsult

Coauthor

Mrs. Rachel Villain, France, Euroconsult

Coauthor

Ms. Ameli Schwalber, Germany, concentris research management gmbh

Year

2020

Abstract

The DISCOVERER project is developing technologies to enable the sustained-operation of satellites in very low Earth orbits (VLEO) for communications and remote sensing applications. Operating closer to the surface of the Earth significantly reduces latency for communications applications and improves link budgets, whilst remote sensing also benefits from improved link budgets, the ability to have higher resolution or smaller instruments, all of which provide cost benefits. In addition, all applications benefit from increased launch mass to lower altitudes, whilst end-of-life removal is ensured due to the increased atmospheric drag.  However, this drag must also be minimised and compensated for. 

DISCOVERER is developing several critical technologies to enable commercially viable operations in at these lower altitudes: 
\begin{itemize}
\item materials that encourage specular reflections of the residual atmosphere in free molecular flows, which can be used in concert with the design of external satellite geometries to minimise drag, and generate lift for aerodynamic attitude and orbit control
\item aerodynamic attitude and orbit control methods, which are essential at lower altitudes to complement traditional attitude control actuators. 
\item atmosphere breathing electric propulsion (ABEP), combining an optimised atmospheric intake with a inductive plasma thruster (IPT), to effectively remove the lifetime limits resulting from finite propellant for drag compensation. 
\item environment monitoring payloads with the potential to provide active feedback for aerodynamic attitude and orbit control.
\end{itemize}

\noindent 2020 is an exciting year for DISCOVERER. Highlights include:
\begin{itemize}
\item the commissioning of our Rarefied Orbital Aerodynamics Research facility (ROAR) which can characterise the reemission characteristics of a beam of atomic oxygen (the predominant gas species in VLEO) at orbital velocities with material samples, and thereby determine their reflection properties.
\item the first ignition of our ABEP prototype IPT and test of sub-scaled intakes in ROAR.
\item the launch of our Satellite for Orbital Aerodynamics Research (SOAR) which will validate the aerodynamic performance of materials and demonstrate aerodynamic manoeuvres.
\item the return of materials samples from the MISSE exposure facility on the International Space Station demonstrating the survivability of candidate novel materials.
\end{itemize}

This paper will provide highlights from the developments, and demonstrate the potential for a new class of aerodynamic commercial satellites operating at altitudes below the International Space Station. 

The DISCOVERER project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 737183.

Abstract document

IAC-20,C2,6,12,x59301.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-20,C2,6,12,x59301.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.