SMALL SATELLITES OVERVIEW

Technical University of Moldova Bd. Stefan cel Mare, 168, Chisinau, R.

Moldova nsecrieru@gmail.com

Smallsats now a global activity

43 Countries have launched small satellites

PHILOSOPHY OF SMALL SATELLITES

There is no universally accepted definition of a small satellite.
Usually, an upper limit of about 1,000 kilograms is adopted. Below
that limit, satellites over 100 kilograms are frequently called
minisatellites, between 10 and 100 kilograms microsatellites
and below 10 kilograms nanosatellites. At the University of
Surrey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
satellites having a mass between 500 and 1,000 kilograms are
called small and between 100 and 500 kilograms mini. The
European Space Agency (ESA) usually considers 350-700
kilogram satellites small, 80-350 kilogram mini and 50-80
kilogram micro. The cost of developing and manufacturing a
typical minisatellite is between US$ 5 million and 20 million, a
microsatellite between US$ 2 million and 5 million and a
3
nanosatellite could be below US$ 1 million.

What are Small Satellites?

Mass
Large

Cost

Time

1000kg+ $300M+ 10yrs+

Small

>1000kg

$50M

3yrs

Mini
Micro

250kg
100kg

$35M
$15M

2yrs
1-2yrs

Nano
Pico

1-10kg
100gm

$5M
> $100k

~1 yr
>1yr

This philosophy is supported by

the following four trends
4 Electronics miniaturization and growth of performance
4 Appearance of small launchers
4 Independence
4 Mission complexity and cost of multi-instrument satellites

Complementarity of Large and Small

Satellite Missions
A successful small satellite project requires:
4 (a) Highly innovative technical staff;
4 (b) Small, motivated teams;
4 (c) Personal responsibility, rigors and quality;
4 (d) Good team communications, close proximity;
4 (e) Well-defined mission objectives and constraints;
4 (f) Knowledgeable use of modern components;
4 (g) Layered, failure-resilient system architecture;
4 (h) Thorough testing of both components and the whole
system;
4 (i) Technically competent project management.
6

Scope of Small Satellite Applications (1)

4 Telecommunications - remote and mobile

communications (including messaging, electronic mail and

localization) using small satellites in low-Earth orbits;
4 Earth observations (remote sensing) - In any case, lowcost small satellites can now make affordable multisatellite
networks of Earth observation satellites to reduce
observation intervals from 10 to 20 days to around 12
hours, anywhere on the Earths surface;
4 Scientific research - There are many ongoing cooperative
scientific programs in the area of solar and space plasma
physics which illustrate this advantage of small satellites to
offer support in taking multi-point measurements of
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various phenomena

Scope of Small Satellite Applications (2)

4 Technology demonstrations - The demonstration of

technology is an obvious application for small satellites,

which are an attractive and low-cost means of
demonstrating, verifying and evaluating new technologies
or services in a realistic orbital environment and within
acceptable risks prior to commitment to a more expensive,
full-scale mission;
4 Academic training - The growing space industry and the
many associated service and scientific organizations
require a steady flow of enthusiastic, trained and
competent young engineers and scientists to meet the
challenges of the future
8

Small satellites and technology?

By exploiting enormous commercial investments,
we can now build highly capable small, low-cost
and reliable satellites built using the latest COTS
terrestrial technologies

Changing the Economics of Space

What are Small Satellites?

= f (Mass + Time + Cost + Utility)

Innovative use of the latest technologies

A hobby that turned into research and then into a business

Space research
Academic space research
Looking over the horizon
Antennas & RF systems
Astrodynamics
Autonomy in Space
Control systems
Embedded systems
Planetary Environments
Propulsion
Remote Sensing
Satellite systems
Signal Processing
Space Robotics

100 academic researchers

Multi-disciplinary
Systems-oriented
Harsh environments

Academic space training

Space Degree Courses at Surrey
Space Technology & Planetary Exploration (BEng/MEng)
Physics with Spacecraft Technology (BSc/MPhys)
Aerospace Engineering (BEng/MEng)
Space Technology & Planetary Exploration (MSc)
Satellite Communications Engineering (MSc)
Mobile & Satellite Comms. Engineering (MSc)
Satellite Engineering (MSc)

Short Courses for Industry, KHTT Training, Outreach

13

Space business
Application of small satellites to real needs at
affordable costs
Stimulating sustainable business opportunities

Since 1981.
> 200 Satellites launched
>1000 satellite-years
orbit experience

on-

LEO Communications
Digital S&F email comms to remote regions
Early internet (1990s)
Advanced DSP payloads
Signal monitoring & analysis
Single satellite provides global reach

French ESSIAM system

Technology Verification
USAF-STP FCT
PICOSat
CERTO Antenna
UHF Antennas

Earth Observation Platform (EOP)

CERTO
GPS

Sun Sensor

IOX antenna

Magnetometer

PBeX

Polymer batteries

146

Earth Observation Compartment (EOC)

UQP

Ionospheric tomography
Ultra-quiet platform

(11)

Attitude Determination, Control and Safety Module

26

(10)

IOX

26

(8)

UQP

26

(7)

On-Board Computer Module

32

(6)

On-Board Computer Module

26

(5)

Telemetry and Telecommand Module

26

(4)

Power Module

35

(3)

Downlink Module

32

(2)

Uplink Module

26

32

(1)

50

Battery Module
GPS

Attach Fitting

Boom (Stowed)

Tipmass

VHF Antennas

CFESat

Research

4Mission detects broad-band emission from

different types of lightning

4Flight experiment of LANLs new FPGA-

based software radio for VHF/UHF spectrum

monitoring

Launched on USAF ATLAS EELV

Cape Canaveral March 2007

Microsatellites & the Internet

UoSAT-12: the first civil satellite to have an
Internet address (1999)
UK-DMC: carrying a Cisco router demonstrated
the power of microsatellites + internet
VMOC: an IP- based application for satellites, using an
available IP-based infrastructure first demonstrated
using UK-DMC to USAF at VAFB in 2004

Task
secure
Internet
image

Space Weather

The effects of the space radiation environment on modern COTS components

The evolution of EO microsatellites

1980s experimental research
UoSAT-1
UoSAT-2

1990s experimental proof-of-concept

UoSAT-5, UoSAT-12
KiTSAT-1, KiTSAT-2, KiTSAT-3
ThaiPhatt, FASat-B, TiungSAT-1, PoSAT-1
Tsinghua-1, SunSAT-1

2000 demonstration
BIRD
PROBA
LAPAN-TUBSAT

2005 operational
DMC:

Alsat-1, Beijing-1, BILSAT-1

NigeriaSat-1, UK-DMC
RapidEye (x5)

International co-operation
Kazakhstan
USA
Nigeria*
Turkey*
Algeria*
China
Malaysia*

Korea

Singapore
Thailand
Chile*
Portugal
S.Korea

Train engineers as nucleus of a

space agency & industry
Launch first national
microsatellite & demonstrate its
applications & utility
Establish national space facilities
& capabilities

Algeria

Create new space SMEs

Six space agencies trained and at
least 3 space SMEs

Nigeria

S. Africa

Portugal

Thailand

Pakistan*

Malaysia

Chile

Constellations & Swarms

Constellations and Swarms of small satellites

enable an affordable capability to achieve:
Rapid revisit increased temporal resolution
Contemporaneous data gathering data merging
Particularly for Earth Observation

Disaster Monitoring Constellation

Novel International Collaboration 6 countries

Individual satellite ownership
Collaborative operation
Data sharing and exchange
Daily imaging worldwide (600km swaths)
National, disaster and commercial use

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts global daily imaging

Example of SATELLITE MODEL

SATELLITE OVERVEW
INSTRUMENT for USEFUL IMAGES
Imager Payload
Pushbroom imager
Video camera

Satellite Platform
Structure
Power System (PS)
Attitude & orbit control (AOCS)
Onboard data handling (OBDH)
Software (SW)

Mission Control System (MCS)

Mission Ground Station
(Satellite Applications Centre CSIR)

CAPTURING IMAGERY
Telescope
Main
pushbroom
IMAGER
Viewfinder

Focal plane +
CCD +
electronics
Video
transmission
receiver

Main design challenge: Creating

mechanism for in orbit re-focussing in
narrow (80mm) workspace when 5 m
blurs the image.

POINTING THE IMAGER

Onboard transputer
Unique orbital algorithms
Propulsion

AOCS

3-axis reaction wheels

FOG gyros
Magneto torquer rods

Star tracker
Horizon sensor
Coarse & fine sun sensors

Main design challenge: Ensuring 3-axis FMC and stability to get enough
imaging light into the telescope and versatility
Solution: Tilting the satellite along the horizontal plane at one-quarter of the
satellite ground speed to give full imaging quality

OTHER CRITICAL PARTS

OBDH

COMMS

MCS

CAN bus + SH4

processors

Hi-efficiency
solar cells
VHF/UHF for
TT&C

Automated
satellite control

S-band for
image
transmission

Image tasking
&
scheduling

2 Onboard
computers

1 T800
processor

PS

NiCad
Batteries

Integrated
switching and
distribution

FAULTLESS DESIGN + REALITY

SOME
INCIDENTS

IMMEDIATE
EFFECT

SOLUTION

COMMENT

Comms
connection bad at
beginning of
commissioning

Dropped data packets,

complicated fault analysis
during early operations

Replaced and
repositioned YAGI
antenna

Improved fault
tracking and analysis.

T800 AOCS
transputer lost

Uncontrolled tumbling

Reprogrammed OBC
to take over main
functions

Design versatility
prevented catastrophic
loss and helped
improve original
algorithms .

X- reaction wheel
lost

Lost tilting capability

Reprogrammed startracker/horizon sensor

combination to
achieve performance
close to original HW

Not possible with

hardwired satellite
systems. Because of
local design engineers
our sorted out the
problem during
commissioning

Training : our
experience

Part of most of our space projects

QinetiQ manages entire training of
UK Army
QinetiQ manages training forSpace
Adventures

PROBA Small Satellites

Missions Overview
31

Proba 1 Satellite Earth Observation

mission vegetation study

Launched 22nd Oct 2001

9 years in Orbit!
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Proba 1 Satellite Instruments

High Resolution Camera
HRC instrument (OIP)

Pyramids Gizeh, Egypt

Three Gorges Dam, China

Miniutarized telescope
Monochromatic camera
5m @ 600 km geometrical
resolution
0.5 deg field of view
(4 km at nadir)
Push broom imager
17 m @ 600 km resolution at
nadir
Up to 62 spectral bands
simultaneously (415 - 1050
nm)
Spectral resolution of 5-12
nm
Swath width 14 km at nadir
Bi-directional Reflectance
Distribution Function
measurements

Palm Island, Dubai

Image 5

Three Gorges Dam, China

Image 4

End
imaging
8
Li ne o f sight
o f im ager

Image 3

Im age 2

CHRIS Instrument (SIRA UK)

Image 1

Begin
imaging
3

2
1

10

Compact High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer

19 km

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Proba 1 Satellite Applications - Examples

4 Vegetation studies:

Estimation of cotton crop health, maturity and yield (University of New South
Wales Australia)
Assessing the effects of different land use strategies on vegetation types in
Central Nambias savannahs
Study the state of woodland in the Rhineland Palatine in Germany
4 Coastal & water studies:

Mapping of Chlorophyll and Suspended Particle Matter Maps of the Ostend Core
Site (RBINS Belgium)
Mapping Water Constituents in Lake Constance
4 Disaster monitoring:

Survey of longer term damage done by forest fires by identification of vegetation

regrowth
Proba images are used in support of the International Charter on Space and Major
disasters (forest fires Var region France 2003, Arles river flood France 2003,
Tsunami disaster Asia, Earthquakes Iran 2005
Proba/Chris workshop papers available on http://earth.esa.int/workshops

34

Proba 1 Satellite Applications Summary

Environment studies

Urbanisation planning

Vegetation studies

Precision farming

Disaster monitoring

Volcano observation

35

Proba 1 Satellite Disaster Monitoring

Platform
Since end 2003: Invited Guest
for International Charter

07.12.2003 Arles (France)

Floodings

36

Proba 1 Satellite Disaster Monitoring

Platform

Etna eruption,
Sicily, 20.10.2002
37

Proba 1 Satellite panchromatic snapshot

image

20.03.2004 Pyramids Gizeh, Egypt

24.04.2004 Ayers Rock, Australia

4 m GSD panchromatic snapshot image

38

Proba 1 Satellite images

Ostend, Belgium (ESA)

Antwerp, Belgium (ESA)

17 m GSD hyperspectral pushbroom image

4 m GSD panchromatic snapshot

image

39

Proba 2 Satellite Science Mission

Space Weather

Launched 02nd Nov 2009!

II
40

Proba 2 Science Mission - Space Weather

Sun observation instruments

LYRA (CSL, ROB, PMODWRC):

- Solar UV radiometer
SWAP (CSL, ROB):
- 4 UV bands, relevant to solar
-Extreme UV imaging of the solar corona physics
-Built on the heritage of EIT on SOHO - 3 detectors with closeable covers
- CMOS APS detector
- mass:3.5 kg
- power: 6W combined with SWAP
- mass: 10 kg
- Volume: 315 mm x 222 mm x 76
- power: 6W combined with LYRA
- Volume: 570 mm x 150 mm x 110 mm mm
- nominal cadence: 1 image per minute - cadence: up to 100 Hz
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- Data processing done on board

- image processing done on-board

Proba 2 Science Mission - First results

70,000 images taken until end of May 2010

Images:Royal Observatory
Belgium
Much more data is available on the Proba 2 Science Center website: http://proba2.sidc.be

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Proba V Vegetation study

Gap filler mission for Spot-Vegetation and Sentinel 3

Spectral and radiometric performance identical to Vegetation

Ground sampling distance 100 - 300 m
Daily global coverage for latitudes above 35
Complete global land coverage in two days

Instrument
3 identical TMA telescopes -> 102,6 FOV together (~2250
km swath)
Blue, Red, NIR (100 m unbinned) and SWIR (200 m
unbinned)
On-board binning of pixels > 300 m resolution NIR, 600 m
SWIR
37 Mbit/sec data flow

System characteristics

Orbit 820 km near-SSO 10h30

Satellite system mass 160 kg
Peak power consumtion 131 W
X-band downlink and 12 Gbit on-board storage

43

Conclusion
4 Microsatellite platforms have demonstrated to deliver

outstanding capabilities for earth observation and science

missions.
4 Furthermore microsatellite as Proba class missions have
following key advantages:

Affordable
Low operational cost
Innovative
Demonstrated top performance for earth observation missions
Short development times
ESA quality label & standard redundant systems
Use of international standards
Turn-key solutions
Operations facilities available
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Thank you!

Small satellites
Changing the Economics of Space