Abstract
INSPIRE-SAT 7 is a French 2-Unit CubeSat (11.5 × 11.5 × 22.7 cm) primarily designed for Earth and Sun observation. INSPIRE-SAT 7 is one of the missions of the International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE). Twice the size of a 4 × 4 Rubik’s Cube and weighing about 3 kg, INSPIRE-SAT 7 will be deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in 2023 to join its sister satellite, UVSQ-SAT. INSPIRE-SAT 7 represents one of the in-orbit demonstrators needed to test how two Earth observation CubeSats in orbit can be utilized to set up a satellite constellation. This new scientific and technological pathfinder CubeSat mission (INSPIRE-SAT 7) uses a multitude of miniaturized sensors on all sides of the CubeSat to measure the Earth’s energy budget components at the top-of-the-atmosphere for climate change studies. INSPIRE-SAT 7 contains also a High-Frequency (HF) payload that will receive HF signals from a ground-based HF transmitter to probe the ionosphere for space weather studies. Finally, this CubeSat is equipped with several technological demonstrators (total solar irradiance sensors, UV sensors to measure solar spectral irradiance, a new Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) wireless communication system, a new versatile telecommunication system suitable for CubeSat). After introducing the objectives of the INSPIRE-SAT 7 mission, we present the satellite definition and the mission concept of operations. We also briefly show the observations made by the UVSQ-SAT CubeSat, and assess how two CubeSats in orbit could improve the information content of their Earth’s energy budget measurements. We conclude by reporting on the potential of future missions enabled by CubeSat constellations.
Highlights
International Satellite Program in Research and Education (INSPIRE)-SAT 7 is a scientific and technological pathfinder CubeSat mainly developed to measure the Earth’s Energy Budget (ERB) at the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA)and to probe the ionosphere
A commissioning phase lasting approximately 1 month will be performed for INSPIRESAT 7 where all instrument operation aspects will be verified and in-orbit calibration and validation activities will be initiated with a validation of the 3-axis accelerometer/gyroscope/compass inertial measurement unit, a determination of the magnetic field of the Earth, a determination of the attitude of the satellite using the TRIAD and Multiplicative Extended Kalman Filter (MEKF) methods, a determination of the flux measured by the sensors (OSR, OLR, the incoming solar radiation (TSI), UV Solar Spectral Irradiance (SSI)), and a technological validation of the different instruments (Li-Fi payload led by LATMOS and Oledcomm, CUIONO1 payload led by ONERA, SPINO payload led by LATMOS and Adrelys)
Once the position of the UVSQ-SAT CubeSat is determined from ground track, outgoing solar radiation (OSR) and OLR at TOA time series are obtained from ERA 5 as they would be observed by the UVSQ-SAT CubeSat in orbit
Summary
INSPIRE-SAT 7 is a scientific and technological pathfinder CubeSat mainly developed to measure the Earth’s Energy (or Radiation) Budget (ERB) at the top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA). It is to provide handson experience and training to students with a NewSpace approach (science objectives, mission analysis, design, construction, CubeSat integration and test, mission operations, management, cost and risks, mission and product assurance) This training of the new generation in the field of the NewSpace is important for a variety of future space missions for Earth constellation and for Astronomy and Astrophysics.
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