• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.427-442
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• 2019

Small satellites represent an emerging opportunity to realize a wide range of space missions at lower cost and faster delivery, compared to traditional spacecraft. However, small platforms, such as CubeSats, shall increase their actual capabilities. Miniaturized electric propulsion systems can provide the satellite with the key capability of moving in space. The level of readiness of miniaturized electric propulsion systems is low although many concepts have been developed. The present research intends to build a flexible test platform for the assessment of selected small propulsion systems in relevant environment at laboratory level. Main goal of the research is to analyze the mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and chemical interactions of propulsion systems with the modern CubeSat-technology and to assess the performance of the integrated platform. The test platform is a 6U CubeSat hosting electric propulsion systems, providing mechanical, electrical and data interfaces, able to handle a variety of electric propulsion systems, thanks to the ability to regulate and distribute electric power, to exchange data according to several protocols, and to provide different mechanical layouts. The test platform is ready to start the first verification campaign. The paper describes the detailed design of the platform and the main results of the AIV activities.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.65-75
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• 2017

This study proposes development of 3U CubeSat standard platform whose function and performance are verified via KAUSAT-5 development. 3U CubeSat platform specification was selected for the design of 3U Cubesat standard platform by examining existing CubeSat and state-of-art technology, and consequently a universally usable 3U CubeSat platform was designed. Standard platform was manufactured in 1.5U size and developed with a modular concept to be able to add and expand payloads and ADCS actuators for meeting the user's needs. In addition, in case of the power system, the solar panel, the battery, and the deployment mechanism are designed to be configured by the user. In the mechanical system design of a standard platform, subsystem and micro equipment functions/performance could be integrated and miniaturized on micro-sized PCBs and maximized electrical capability to accommodate multiple payloads. In the development of the 3U CubeSat, the satellite platform adopts the developed standard platform, which can reduce the cost and schedule for the whole satellite development by reducing the additional function verification.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.219-228
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• 2020

A CubeSat platform has become a popular choice due to inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and low launch cost. However, it requires more power-efficient and higher-data rate downlink capability for space applications related to remote sensing. In addition, the platform is limited by the size, weight and power (SWaP) constraints as well as the regulatory issue of licensing the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The requirements and limitations have put optical communications on promising alternatives to RF communications for a CubeSat platform, owing to the power efficiency and high data rate as well as the license free spectrum. In this study, we analyzed the performance of optical downlink communications compatible with CubeSat platforms in terms of data rate, bit error rate (BER) and outage probability. Mathematical models of BER and outage probability were derived based on not only the log-normal model of atmospheric turbulence but also a transmitter with a finite extinction ratio. Given the fixed slot width, the optimal guard time and modulation orders were chosen to achieve the target data rate. And the two performance metrics, BER and outage data rate, were analyzed and discussed with respect to beam divergence angle, scintillation index and zenith angle.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2013

TRiplet Ionospheric Observatory-CubeSat for Ion, Neutron, Electron & MAgnetic fields (TRIO-CINEMA) is a CubeSat with 3.14 kg in weight and 3-U ($10{\times}10{\times}30$ cm) in size, jointly developed by Kyung Hee University and UC Berkeley to measure magnetic fields of near Earth space and detect plasma particles. When a satellite is launched into orbit, it encounters ultra-high vacuum and extreme temperature. To verify the operation and survivability of the satellite in such an extreme space environment, experimental tests are conducted on the ground using thermal vacuum chamber. This paper describes the temperature control device and monitoring system suitable for CubeSat test environment using the thermal vacuum chamber of the School of Space Research, Kyung Hee University. To build the chamber, we use a general purpose thermal analysis program and NX 6.0 TMG program. We carry out thermal vacuum tests on the two flight models developed by Kyung Hee University based on the thermal model of the TRIO-CINEMA satellite. It is expected from this experiment that proper operation of the satellite in the space environment will be achieved.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.94-102
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• 2023

A nylon wire holding and release mechanism (HRM) has been widely used for deployable applications of CubeSat owing to its simplicity and low cost. In general, structural safety of solar panel with an HRM has been designed by performing structural analysis under a launch environment. However, previous studies have not performed thermal analysis for HRM in an on-orbit environment. In this study, Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) thermal analysis was performed to evaluate thermal stability of the mechanism in the orbital thermal environment of the pogo pin-based HRM applied to CubeSat. In addition, the effectiveness of the thermal design and performance of the pogo pin-based HRM were verified through a thermal vacuum test.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.87-104
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• 2024

CubeSats are being utilized in various fields such as Earth observation, space exploration, and verification of space science and technology due to their low cost, short development period, enhanced mission-oriented performance, and ability to perform various missions through constellation and formation flights. Recently, as the availability of CubeSats has increased and their application areas have expanded, the demand for high-speed transmission of large amounts of data obtained by CubeSats has increased unprecedentedly. Laser-based free space optical communication technology is capable of transmitting large amounts of data at high speeds compared to the existing radio communication methods, and provides various advantages such as use of unlicensed spectrum, low cost, low power, high security characteristics, and of use a small communication platform. For this reason, it is suitable as a high-performance communication technology to support CubeSat missions. In this paper, we will present the core components and characteristics of CubeSat-based space laser communication system, and recent research trends, as well as representative technology development results.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.89-97
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• 2021

STEP Cube Lab-II (Cube Laboratory for Space Technology Experimental Project-II) is a 6U Cube satellite equipped with optical and infrared cameras for monitoring Mt. Paektu volcanic eruption signs and earth observation in the Korean peninsula. To guarantee successful mission operation of the cube satellite in orbit, thermal design is essential for the electronic equipment, and must be kept within the allowable temperature range during the mission period. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the predictable orbital thermal environment. The STEP Cube Lab-II is launched through the KSLV-II, however, the operation orbit has not been determined due to the unknown launch time. In this study, we performed a thermal analysis of the satellite and investigated the heat flux according to launch time to analyze the worst orbital conditions that could occur.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2012

Thermal analysis and control design are prerequisite essential to design the satellite. In the space environment, it makes satellite survive from extreme hot and cold conditions. In recent years CubeSat mission is developed for many kinds of purpose. Triplet Ionospheric Observatory (TRIO)-CubeSat for Ion, Neutral, Electron, MAgnetic fields (CINEMA) is required to weigh less than 3 kg and operate on minimal 3 W power. In this paper we describe the thermal analysis and control design for TRIO-CINEMA mission. For this thermal analysis, we made a thermal model of the CubeSat with finite element method and NX6.0 TMG software is used to simulate this analysis model. Based on this result, passive thermal control method has been applied to thermal design of CINEMA. In order to get the better conduction between solar panel and chassis, we choose aluminum 6061-T6 for the material property of standoff. We can increase the average temperature of top and bottom solar panels from $-70^{\circ}C$ to $-40^{\circ}C $ and decrease the average temperature of the magnetometer from $+93^{\circ}C$ to $-4^{\circ}C$ using black paint on the surface of the chassis, inside of top & bottom solar panels, and magnetometer.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.363-372
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• 2016

SIGMA(Scientific cubesat with Instruments for Global Magnetic field and rAdiation) CubeSat has been developed for magnetic field measurement of the Earth and space radiation measurement at Kyung Hee university. The flight software plays important roles in controlling the satellite and processing the data in the space mission. In this paper, the Flight Software has been implemented to process all the tasks in the one thread without RTOS(Real Time Operating System). This is an effective mothed not only to concentrate the space mission of CubeSat but also to reduce the overhead of the Flight Software by considering the mission perform procedures and the system control methods.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.54.1-54.1
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• 2014

Kyung Hee University has been developing a CubeSat for the space science mission called SIGMA (Scientific cubesat with Instrument for Global Magnetic field and rAdiation), which includes TEPC (Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter) and a magnetometer. SIGMA has a 3-unit CubeSat, and the weight is about 3.2 kg. The main payload is TEPC which can measure the Linear Energy Transfer (LET) spectrum and calculate the equivalent dose for the complicated radiation field in the space. The magnetometer is a secondary payload using a miniaturized fluxgate magnetometer. We expect it to have a 1 nT resolution in the dynamic range of ${\pm}65535$ nT. An Attitude Control System (ACS) spins the SIGMA spacecraft 4 rpm with the spin axis perpendicular to the ecliptic plane. Full duplex communication is consists of VHF uplink and S-band and UHF downlink. In this paper, we introduce the system design and the scientific purpose of the SIGMA CubeSat mission.