Satellite Miniaturization Techniques for Space Sensor Networks

Abstract

T HERE is a growing trend toward distributed missions for scientific and remote sensing applications in which large numbers of satellites are required. Analogous to proliferating terrestrial wireless sensor networks, space sensor networks could provide an unprecedented capability to investigate widespread phenomena. For example, several important space weather missions have yet to be realized, due to the present inability to take simultaneous measurements of a phenomenon over a large volume. Space economics and environmental concerns dictate a costeffective mass-producible low-mass satellite for such massively distributed missions in low Earth orbit (LEO). An investigation of very small (subkilogram) satellite miniaturization techniques has been undertaken, focusing on enabling technologies targeted at space sensor network applications. Existing and emerging very-small-satellite technologies have been assessed and compared, with power generation and payload volume being the key performance metrics. Two novel design methodologies have been developed, simulated, and verified through functional and environmental testing of hardware prototypes. SpaceChip, inspired by the satellite-on-a-chip vision, is a monolithic heterogeneous system-on-a-chip (SOC) integration approach [1,2]. PCBSat is a proposed miniaturization approach, which is based on printed circuit board (PCB) substrates [3]. PCBSat is focused on deriving the smallest practical satellite within the context of space sensor network and constrained to the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, processes, and deployment systems. This Note is intended to summarize the existing research effort [1] and to update the interested reader with the most recent developments on very-small-satellite miniaturization techniques [2]. An example case study is considered in which a space sensor network could demystify ionospheric plasma depletions, which are thought to cause problematic navigation and communication signal scintillation (i.e., communication outages). The Note is organized as follows: Sec. II highlights an example space sensor network mission enabled by very small satellites; Secs. III and IV summarize results of the SpaceChip and PCBSat investigations, respectively; and Sec. V concludes the Note by presenting the mission suitability and cost effectiveness of all technologies considered in this research.