Picosatellites for Maritime Security Applications - the Lambdasat Case

Periklis Papadopoulos,Garik Markarian,Nikitas Nikitakos,Marco Manso,Kyriakos I. Kourousis,Zacharias Sarris,Georgios Mantzouris,Alexander Bordetsky

doi:10.5028/jatm.v7i4.551

Abstract

This study explores the potential deployment of small satellites for maritime interdiction and security applications by investigating the available solutions and formulating a generic proposal to optimize the use of those short-lived space assets in support of these operations. The operational background is analyzed with respect to the potential use of these systems by field officers. An analysis for operational micro and picosatellite characteristics is executed, and a brief outlook on the vulnerabilities of those for Low Earth Orbits is given. Moreover, a real scenario has been implemented, and the obtained computational results provide useful insight into how these space systems can be used for maritime security operations. Particular reference is given to the state-of-the-art status of propulsion systems capable of enhancing the lifetime of the satellites. Similarly, a literature survey has been conducted collecting all available picosatellites in orbit today that deal with maritime security applications. The study also explores the application of Lambdasat picosatellite (currently in orbit) to demonstrate the capability of exchanging alert messages between ground stations in Greece and in the US and vessels in the middle of the ocean. With these experiments we will demonstrate the ability magnitude of a picosatellite to support maritime operations.

Highlights

The Operational Maritime Dimension Contemporary maritime security operations cover a full range of different missions
We present our reasoning on the relevance of picosatellites for purposes of maritime security; we describe the Lambdasat, a recently deployed picosatellites that we will use for our experiments on maritime security
Analysis of all the characteristics listed is going to be made in order to conclude what is the amount of quality data that the Lambdasat or a picosatellite like Funcube can send in order to define the space index metric for maritime security. If this space index be materialized, a measure of performance percent will be defined on how picosatellites can support the conduction of alert operations in maritime security arena

Summary

Introduction

The Operational Maritime Dimension Contemporary maritime security operations cover a full range of different missions. A real-time infrastructure allowing to combine them into cost-effective intelligence schemes would dramatically decrease response time and, as a result, increase mission efficiency Such infrastructure is still absent from today’s operational and tactical maritime environment. Sea commerce and sea transportation is a major pilar of global market and that is why space maritime security is becoming more and more a field at which research is being fast directed. Another important aspect that is being addressed in this paper is a detailed literature survey on the institutions that are conducting research initiatives in the areas of micropropulsion for very small to picosatellite buses. That is why today there are very few universities to undergo this type of research aiming to find a propulsion solution for these very cost-effective picobuses

Vulnerabilities of Picosatellites in Very Low Earth Orbits

Picosatellite Operational Characteristics

Atomic oxygen experiments Reaction wheels for picosatellites Micropropulsion

PrELIMInArY AnALYSIS oF AcQuIrEd orBItAL dAtA

MICROPROPULSION IN PICOSATELLITES

Microhollow discharge Dual hall

CONCLUSION