Micro- and mini-satellites of ISRO—technology and applications

With rich experience of the successful Indian remote sensing satellite series, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has started theme-based satellites like Resourcesat and Oceansat. Further taking the advantage of the improved technologies in areas of miniaturization, the micro- and mini-satellite series have been started, which will provide opportunity for the payloads of stand-alone missions, for applications, study or research. These include payloads for Earth imaging, atmospheric monitoring, ocean monitoring, scientific applications, and stellar observation. The micro-satellites are of 100 kg class, planned with a payload of about 30 kg and 20 W power and mini-satellites of 450 kg class for payloads of 200 kg and power of 200 W. The first satellite in the micro-satellite series is an Earth imaging payload followed by the second satellite with scientific payloads with the participation of students. Further the scientific proposals for micro-satellites are under evaluation. Similarly the first two missions of mini-satellites are defined with first one carrying ocean and environment monitoring payloads followed by the Earth imaging satellite with multi-spectral camera with 700 km swath. The current paper touches upon the technology involved in realization of the micro- and mini-satellites and the scope of applications of the series.     

A DLR small satellite mission for the investigation of hot spots, vegetation and clouds

Starting from their FIRES proposal [1]the DLR makes a new approach in the design of a small satellite mission dedicated to hot spot detection and evaluation: the BIRD mission. The new approach is characterized by a strict design-to-cost philosophy. A two-channel infrared sensor system in combination with a Wide-Angle Optoelectronic Stereo Scanner (WAOSS) shall be the payload of a small satellite (80kg) considered for piggyback launch. So the launch is not a main cost driver as for other small satellite missions with dedicated launchers. The paper describes the mission objectives, the scientific payload, the spacecraft bus, and the mission architecture of a small satellite mission dedicated to the investigation of hot spots (forest fires, volcanic activities, burning oil wells or coal seams), of vegetation condition and changes and of clouds. The paper represents some results of a phase A study and of the progressing phase B.     

即插即用模块化卫星体系结构研究

即插即用模块化卫星是模块化即插即用技术与卫星平台技术相结合的新型卫星系统,是实现空间快速响应的重要途径。文章介绍了即插即用模块化卫星的概念;分析了即插即用技术在航天任务中的应用;概括了即插即用模块化卫星的体系结构,主要包括功能模块、即插即用标准接口、卫星平台总线和系统软件。在传统卫星分系统划分的基础上进行功能分解,提出了即插即用模块化卫星功能模块的划分方案。文章的研究结果可为中国发展即插即用模块化卫星技术提供理论参考。     

A series of small scientific satellite with flexible standard bus

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has a plan to develop the small satellite standard bus for various scientific missions and disaster monitoring missions. The satellite bus is a class of 250–400 kg mass with three-axis control capability of 0.02 accuracy. The science missions include X-ray astronomy missions, planetary telescope missions, and magnetosphere atmosphere missions. In order to adapt the wide range of mission requirements, the satellite bus has to be provided with flexibility. The concepts of modularization, reusability, and product line are applied to the standard bus system. This paper describes the characteristics of the small satellite standard bus which will be firstly launched in 2011.     

Mature systems for small satellite missions

Over the past several years Satellites International has developed an integrated suite of satellite sub-systems and small satellite buses. The sub-systems include S-band communications, attitude sensing and control, power conversion and distribution, and on-board data handling. They are inherently modular and readily adaptable to different satellite configurations, a concept known as semi-standardisation. This concept has been adopted by two generic low-cost buses: MicroSIL for satellites in the mass range 40–80kg; and MiniSIL for satellites in the range 100–500kg. Their architecture is based on the semi-standard sub-systems, but easily modified to utilise sub-systems from other manufacturers. They can support all stabilisation methods including spinning, 3-axis control and gravity gradient and are adaptable to a wide variety of missions including Earth resources, scientific, communications and technology demonstration. The Company also manufactures a range of low cost ground support equipment and complete ground stations to complement the space-borne systems.     

Compensation of gravitational attraction disturbance to pure gravity orbit for Inner Formation Flying System

The Inner Formation Flying System (IFFS) consisting of an outer satellite and an inner satellite which is a solid sphere proof mass freely flying in the shield cavity can construct a pure gravity orbit to precisely measure the earth gravity field. The gravitational attraction on the inner satellite due to the outer satellite is a significant disturbance source to the pure gravity orbit and is required to be limited to 10⁻¹¹ m s⁻² order. However, the gravitational disturbance force was on 10⁻⁹ m s⁻² order actually and must be reduced by dedicated compensation mass blocks. The region of relative motion of the inner satellite about its nominal position is within 1 cm in dimension, which raises the complexity of the compensation blocks design. The iterative design strategy of the compensation blocks based on reducing the gravitational attraction at the nominal position of the inner satellite is presented, aiming to guarantee the gravitational force in the relative motion region within requirements after the compensation. The compensation blocks are designed according to the current status of IFFS, and the gravitational disturbance force in the region is reduced to 10⁻¹¹ ms⁻² order with minimized adding mass.     

模块化热控技术及其在低轨卫星中的应用

Differently from traditional integration satellites, the modular satellites consist of several structurally independent modules and the heat dissipation is unevenly distributed, while the interface between modules should support repeatable connection separating. Therefore, the traditional thermal control design, which supports the independent heat dissipation of an integration satellite, cannot meet the thermal control requirements of the modular satellite. In this paper the modular thermal control technology is proposed. The carbon nanotube array on metal substrate is used as the thermal interface of the modules to realize the separable cross module heat transfer. The internal surface of structural panels is coated by graphene film to enhance the internal heat transfer in the modules with limited internal space. The smart thermal control coating is used at all the heat rejection surfaces to suppress the orbital heat flux variations. By using the technology, the thermal connection of the assembly and reconstruction system is built and the synergistic heat dissipation of the whole satellite is achieved. As to validate the proposed technology, the finite element model of the circular low earth orbit satellite is established and the in orbit temperature in the extreme working conditions is simulated. The result indicates that the modular thermal control technology proposed in this paper can satisfy the thermal control demand of the modular satellite.      

卫星接地方式的分析与思考

接地是卫星正常工作的基本要求之一,也是决定其EMC性能的关键因素,本文将介绍星上常用的几种接地方式及目前低压母线卫星上广泛使用的一种接地模式,进而结合国内外现状,提出一种高压母线下卫星的接地方案,最后通过具体案例来说明接地的重要性,以期引起航天科技工作者对这方面的更多关注.     

A global geographical survey of received signal strength in the VHF band

Sumbandila (SO-67) is an 81 kg LEO satellite launched on 17 September 2009. Its primary payload is a multi-spectral imager with a ground sampling distance of 6.25 m at an orbit altitude of 500 km. Its two command transceivers operate in the commercial and amateur radio VHF and UHF bands and one of them provides a VHF to UHF repeater service to radio amateurs. This paper presents initial results of a global three week monitoring period of two VHF frequency ranges. The data is obtained by executing on-board flight control procedures to select the frequencies to measure. The existing on-board telemetry gathering system is employed to record the data, most notably the received signal strength for the selected frequency. The data is downloaded using an adaptation of the imagery data download path. We determine regions of high signal levels by distributing individual measurements over cells in the satellite footprint before averaging over the cells. The data is then plotted on a geographical signal strength heatmap. We compare our results with that of a similar study of the late 1990s and point out changes since then. The data provides useful information for selecting future ground station locations for minimum interference. It further gives an indication of frequencies to use for command and telemetry communication at existing ground stations. We propose that including a receiver capable of measuring frequency interference across a desired frequency range is very useful to future missions for selecting communication frequencies from this range for ground station locations.     

基于传感器几何特性和图像特征的影像配准方法

“天绘一号”卫星是我国第一代传输型立体测绘卫星,搭载有三线阵CCD相机、多光谱相机和2m分辨率全色相机。多光谱相机波段间影像的配准是保证多光谱影像质量和有效应用的前提,在现有配准方法的基础上,文章提出了基于传感器几何特性和图像特征的配准方法来改善影像配准效果。这种方法首先基于相机几何特性对待配准图像进行调整,然后对图像进行局部多点取图,采用尺度不变特征变换（Scale Invariant Feature Transform,SIFT）法提取图像特征并进行初步匹配,利用匹配点领域灰度相关性来进行精匹配和误匹配点的剔除,最后获得图像位移差,进而完成图像配准。实验结果表明,这种方法能够提高多光谱波段间影像的配准成功率,准确率达到95％以上,大幅改善了匹配精度。     

Structure and thermal control of panel extension satellite (PETSAT)

Panel ExTension SATellite (PETSAT) [S. Nakasuka, Y. Nakamura, Panel extension satellite (PETSAT)—a novel satellite concept consisting of modular, functional and plug-in panels, in: 24th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, invited talk, 2004-o-2, 2004 [1]] is a satellite which is made of several “functional panels”. Each panel has a special dedicated function and various combinations of different kinds of functional panels enable PETSAT to deal with various mission requirement. Development of PETSAT requires four interface requirements. These are mechanical interface, thermal interface, electrical interface and information interface. In this paper, mechanical interface and thermal interface of PETSAT are especially focused on and introduced. In the development of PETSAT issues about mechanical interface corresponds to panel structure and deployment mechanism. The structure of PETSAT is designed so as to have light weigh, enough space for devices and high stiffness. And deployment system has simple mechanism to avoid vacuum metalizing and improve reliability. On the other hand, approaches for thermal interface [K. Higashi, S. Nakasuka, Y. Sugawara, H. Sahara, K. Koyama, C. Kobayashi, T. Okada, Thermal control of panel extension satellite (PETSAT), in: 25th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, 2006-j-02, 2006 [2]] are homogenization of temperature within panel and between panels. Homogenization of temperature within panels can be realized by heat lane plate, and that between panels is realized by magnetic fluid loop with magnetic heat pump. These approaches for mechanical and thermal interface are demonstrated in SOHLA-2 [Y. Sugawara, S. Nakasuka, T. Eishima, H. Sahara, Y. Nakamura, K. Koyama, C. Kobayashi, T. Okada, Elemental technologies for realization of panel extension satellite (PETSAT), in: 25th International Symposium on Space Technology and Science, 2006-J-01, 2006 [3]] that is satellite of technology demonstration for PETSAT.     

新一代多光谱扫描仪高效率线性扫描系统研制

文章根据新一代多光谱扫描仪的总体技术要求,重点介绍了高效率线性扫描控制系统的设计实现。     

Reduction of satellite electromagnetic scattering by carbon nanostructured multilayers

We propose a low observable satellite covered by layered materials. The dielectric properties of the composite materials are analyzed using the coaxial air-line method. Our solution could result in cost-effective applications for satellite stealthness. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to design and optimize layered absorbers. The obtained reflection is below −20 dB in many frequency subranges, also under an oblique incident condition, within the band 2–18 GHz. The optimized layered absorbers are used as a cloak for cube satellites. In particular, we investigated a very simple geometry by using a finite element commercial software in the band from 2 to 18. Finally, the transmission through an aperture on the satellite surface is analyzed. It is highlighted that the optimized layered absorbers attenuate the electric field within the satellite, improving its immunity against electromagnetic interferences.     

小卫星星载CAN总线的应用层传输方法研究

数据总线是小卫星上各模块之间的主要数据传输通道,充分利用现场总线技术,选择合适的数据总线标准,改善数据总线应用的标准设计,提高可靠性,将工业、商业总线技术引入航天领域是小卫星数据总线未来的发展方向.小卫星星上控制局域网(CAN)总线网络组成包括物理层、数据链路层和应用层.文章分析了小卫星星上网络的应用层协议的基本组成,...     

Enhancement of primary education using EDUSAT: Rajiv Gandhi project for EDUSAT supported elementary education network (RGPEEE) overview

Providing education access to the children in the age group 6–14 years is a constitutional obligation and challenge for the union as well state governments, as the development of elementary education is a key factor for a nation's development. Due to the non-availability of required number of trained and expert teachers’ knowledge-divide exists between students population of urban and rural/remote areas. To bridge this gap Distance Learning or Tele-education is the best option. A dedicated satellite for the purpose (EDUSAT) was launched on 20th September 2004 to serve the nation in all the education activities. It was decided to provide a Tele-education network in and around the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh, with uplink and studio facility (Hub) at Jabalpur (MP) and around 700 receive only terminals (ROTs) in various schools. Since the medium of teaching used in this network is Hindi, it was later decided to extend the coverage to connect around 50 primary schools with ROTs in six surrounding states viz. Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. The network is configured as a DTH network using state-of-art digital technology, in Ku-band with 3.8 m antenna and 16 W power amplifier at Hub. The ROTs are designed to operate on solar power for 2.5 h continuously, taking into consideration the non-availability of primary power in the rural areas. The teachers of the schools are trained for the proper operations of the ROTs. The teachers of these rural schools also contribute to the content generation, with local relevance, in coordination with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). At present the network with around 1000 ROTs is being utilized for 2 h per day. The RGPEEE network is in the process of being augmented with 32 satellite interactive terminals (SITs), to be used for teachers training. The project is being managed by two tier management system. In order to oversee the project implementation and monitoring an Apex Core Group, consisting of Apex Committee and Standing Committee, has been constituted. The Apex Committee takes care of policy decisions where as, the Standing Committee takes care of day to day affair.     

时间触发型FlexRay总线星载应用研究

提出将具备时间触发特征的新一代车载总线FlexRay引入小卫星星上电子系统,分析了FlexRay总线访问机制、数据帧结构、容错特性、网络时间同步等对星载应用的适应性,并给出基于该总线的星载网络设计及应用思路,对星载网络拓扑结构、节点信息传递方式、总线通信应用协议、网络节点实现等进行了初步设计,可为该总线的星载应用提供一定的技术参考。     

1553B总线终端消息覆盖的原因及解决方案

1553B总线是一种串行数据总线,在航天器上得到了广泛应用,它的可靠性直接关系到整星（船）的可靠性和功能实现。同一终端相邻总线消息覆盖问题是影响星载1553B总线可靠性的典型问题。文章对该问题进行了分析,并通过80C31/80C32单片机作为宿主机的远程终端（RT）开展试验,解决了获得同一终端消息覆盖时间间隔临界值定量...     

星载设备遥测遥控电路中使用1553B总线技术的探讨

文章对星载设备遥测遥控电路中使用1553B总线技术进行了探讨,分析了星载设备采用1553B总线技术后的特点,提出了可行的实现途径。     

新一代多光谱扫描仪方案设计

新一代多光谱扫描仪方案设计是以某单位拟议的技术要求为依据开展的。文章简要介绍了方案设计中的设计思想、系统基本原理和关键技术原理等。该遥感器已于1999年10月完成原理样机研制,获得了满意的结果。     

PFI in the sky, or pie in the sky? — Privatising military space

The UK has made use of dedicated, national military satellites for communications since November 1969. The replacement of the current system, Skynet 4, which will reach the end of its design lifetime early in the next century, is currently under consideration. Possible options which have been mooted to date include a new generation of a national satellite system (Skynet 5), or one of several international collaborative projects. However, these appear to have been superseded by a new possibility — a privately, commercially funded national system under the government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI). This paper examines the historical reliance of the UK on military satellite communications, the options for the next generation of such systems, and, drawing on the UK example, raises a number of questions concerning the potential significance of reliance on commercial enterprise to provide a key element of defence capability.