Utility and constraints of PocketQubes
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Utility and constraints of PocketQubes J. Bouwmeester1 · S. Radu1 · M. S. Uludag1 · N. Chronas1 · S. Speretta1 · A. Menicucci1 · E. K. A. Gill1 Received: 16 September 2019 / Revised: 20 January 2020 / Accepted: 21 January 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract PocketQubes are a form factor of highly miniaturized satellites with a body of one or more cubic units of 5 cm. In this paper, the characteristics of PocketQubes in terms of their constraints and their (potential) utility are treated. To avoid space debris and limit collision risk, the orbits of PocketQubes need to be constraint. An analysis of orbital decay characteristics has been carried out which, considering existing space regulations and a pro-active attitude, PocketQubes should preferably be launched in low Earth orbits below 400 km altitude. Due to technical constraints, such as form factor, power and attitude control, the domain of applications for single PocketQube missions is limited. Still, they can act as low-cost training and technology demonstration platforms. To make PocketQubes an attractive platform for other types of missions, not only the launch cost, but also the development, production and operations cost should be significantly lower than CubeSats. When the PocketQube platform matures and produced in high numbers, networks of PocketQubes can enable new applications. Applications considered feasible are in the field of (but not limited to) continuous surveillance using optical instruments, gravity field monitoring using precise orbit determination, in-situ measurements of the space environment, low data rate or bandwidth communication services and inexpensive probes around other celestial bodies. Keywords PocketQube · Application · Orbit · Cost-efficiency · Constellation · Constraints
1 Introduction PocketQubes have been introduced by Prof. Bob Twiggs in 2009 [1]. They are satellites comprising of one or more cubic units of 5 cm and with a maximum mass of 250 g per unit. The number of units is typically presented with suffix ‘p’ instead of ‘U’ as for CubeSats. The original idea was that 8 PocketQubes would fit in a single unit CubeSat (in 2 × 2 × 2 configuration) and could be deployed through existing CubeSat deployers. A cooperation between Morehead State University and GAUSS Srl. has led to the development of a dedicated PocketQube deployment system (MRFOD). Instead of using the corners to slide in the deployment system, like for CubeSats, a baseplate extending a few millimetres from the main body is used which slides in guide rails of the PocketQube deployer. This concept was used for the first ten PocketQubes which have been launched so far, four in 2013 using the MRFOD and six in 2019 using the AlbaPOD, * J. Bouwmeester [email protected] 1
Delft University of Technology, Kluyverweg 1, 2629 HS Delft, The Netherlands
and is currently used by the majority of PocketQube developers. Given this deployment system and the additional external envelope, PocketQubes cannot be economically fitted into CubeSat d
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