APPLICATION OF MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR NANOSATELLITE DESIGN

我们设想，下一代纳米卫星将取代传统的（大规模、昂贵、国有的）卫星，用于各种任务（例如，温室气体监测、生物研究的动物跟踪、海洋安全的船只跟踪、北部地区的通信），供私营企业或大学研究团队使用。该项目提出了开发纳米卫星应用微系统技术的综合方法。纳米卫星（质量小于10公斤的航天器）不仅为HQP训练和技术演示提供了独特和新颖的机会，而且还为天基研究提供了机会。在过去十年中，纳米卫星设计取得了重大进展，部分原因是微系统技术的发展。然而，在技术上仍然存在很大的差距，这使我们无法为科学和商业应用设计低成本、多用途、可靠的纳米卫星。目前最先进的纳米卫星设计严重依赖于有限空间的商业电子设备，并且在设计中提供了很少的灵活性。拟议的研究增强了子系统的设计，并允许卫星设计者为亚轨道任务开发先进、经济、灵活的航天器。具体而言，微系统技术在纳米卫星设计中的应用研究包括：(1)微推进系统设计；(2)基于MEMS的姿态传感器和致动器设计与算法，结合其低档特性；(3)基于现场可编程门阵列（FPGA）的子系统开发研究。我们的目标是在轨道上演示上述技术。我们将成为第一个加拿大团队，通过计划中的QB50 CubeSat任务，使用新型固体推进剂微推进器演示微推进器概念。我们还将使用FPGA开发创新的姿态控制和处理硬件，并在我们使用空气轴承和亥姆霍兹笼开发的试验台上测试其性能。我们研究计划的总体目标是设计和操作能够执行地球观测任务的模块化和可重构纳米卫星。根据从技术示范任务中获得的经验，我们还旨在研究上述技术在诸如高空气球等纳米卫星以外的平台上在轨迹校正、姿态控制和分散控制领域的使用情况。随着纳米卫星在世界范围内迅速出现，纳米卫星功能的扩展对加拿大空间工程的未来非常重要。为了确保加拿大继续在空间工业中发挥领导作用，我们需要利用纳米卫星的潜力，以具有成本效益和反应迅速的方式满足业务需求。特别是，我们认为纳米卫星将成为全球覆盖、回访时间短、成本低的环境监测的关键因素。通过研究和技术开发获得的专门知识和知识将继续转让给我们的工业伙伴，以扩大加拿大未来任务的纳米卫星能力。

Proposal: Application of Microsystems Technologies for Nanosatellite Design We envision next generations of nanosatellites replacing conventional (large scale, expensive, state-operated) satellites for variety of missions (greenhouse gas monitoring, animal tracking for biological studies, vessel tracking for marine security, communication in northern regions, for example) for private industry or university research teams. This project proposes comprehensive approach to develop microsystems technologies for nanosatellite applications. Nanosatellites (spacecraft with mass less than 10 kilograms) offer unique and novel opportunities not only for HQP training and technology demonstration, but also for space-based research. Significant advancement has been achieved in the last decade in nanosatellite design partly due to the technological development in Microsystems. However, there still exists a wide gap in technology that prohibits us from engineering low-cost, multi-purpose, reliable nanosatellites for scientific and commercial applications. Current nanosatellite state-of-art design relies heavily on commercial electronics with limited space qualification and offers little flexibility built-in with the design. The proposed research enhances design of subsystems and allows satellite designers to develop advanced, affordable, flexible spacecraft for suborbital missions. In particular, the proposed research in application of microsystems technologies for nanosatellite design includes: (1) micro-propulsion system design; (2) MEMS based attitude sensor and actuator design and algorithms to incorporate their low-grade characteristics; and (3) examination of field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based subsystem development. We aim to demonstrate the above technologies on-orbit. We will be the first Canadian group to demonstrate, through the planned QB50 CubeSat mission, microthruster concept using a novel solid propellant microthruster. We will also develop innovate attitude control and processing hardware using FPGA and test their performance on the test-bed that we developed with air-bearing and Helmholtz cage. Overarching goal of our research program is to engineer and operate modular and reconfigurable nanosatellites capable of performing Earth observation missions. Based on the experience gained from the technology demonstration mission, we also aim to examine the use of the above technologies on platform beyond nanosatellites such as high-altitude balloons, in the areas of trajectory correction, attitude control and decentralized control. Extension of nanosatellite functionality is important for the future of space engineering in Canada, as nanosatellites are rapidly emerging worldwide. To ensure continued Canadian leadership in space industry, we need to utilize nanosatellites’ potential to serve operational needs in cost-effective and responsive manner. In particular, we believe nanosatellites would be a key factor in environmental monitoring for global coverage, short revisit time, and low-cost. The expertise and knowledge gained through the research and technology development will continue to be transferred to our industry partners to expand Canada's nanosatellite capabilities for future missions.