Modern small satellites projects

Author

Ovchinnikov, M.Yu. ; Dyachenko, A.I.

Author_Institution

M.V. Keldysh Inst. of Appl. Math., Acad. of Sci., Moscow, Russia

Volume

1

fYear

1994

fDate

18-21 Oct 1994

Firstpage

231

Abstract

The advantages of using small satellites in space scientific and technological activity are discussed. These relatively cheap satellites are characterized by a mass from one kilogram up to several hundred kilograms, dimensions under 1 meter and a relatively simple set of scientific and auxiliary equipment. They can be orbited as a piggy-back with a main satellite, by a low-power launcher, or by a multiple-launch spacecraft. The small satellite projects under development throughout the world are considered. Special attention is given to Russian projects and their launching possibilities. The most commonly used attitude control systems (ACS) for small satellites are highlighted. A majority of Russian small satellites are equipped with a gravity gradient ACS. The ACS of the universal small space platform, a typical small satellite with mass of about 60 kg, is discussed in detail. The platform is being developed as a universal commercial satellite

Keywords

aerospace control; artificial satellites; attitude control; Russian projects; attitude control systems; auxiliary equipment; gravity gradient attitude control system; low-power launcher; multiple-launch spacecraft; piggy-back; scientific equipment; small satellites project; universal commercial satellite; universal small space platform; Cats; Costs; Educational institutions; Government; Manufacturing; Mathematics; Payloads; Satellites; Space technology; Space vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Satellite Communications, 1994. ICSC'94., Proceedings of International Conference on

Conference_Location

Moscow

Print_ISBN

0-7803-2514-1

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ICSC.1994.523119

Filename

523119