APPLICATION OF MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR NANOSATELLITE DESIGN

建议：微系统技术在纳米卫星设计中的应用 我们设想下一代纳米卫星将取代传统(大规模、昂贵、国家运营的)卫星，用于私营企业或大学研究团队的各种任务(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)。该项目提出了开发用于纳米卫星应用的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培训和技术演示提供了独特和新颖的机会，而且为天基研究提供了独特和新颖的机会。在过去十年中，在纳米卫星设计方面取得了重大进展，这部分归功于微系统技术的发展。然而，在技术上仍然存在着巨大的差距，这阻碍了我们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在很大程度上依赖于商业电子设备，空间有限，设计中内置的灵活性很小。拟议的研究加强了子系统的设计，使卫星设计者能够为亚轨道任务开发先进的、负担得起的、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的姿态传感器和执行器的设计和算法，以结合其低级特性；(3)基于现场可编程门阵列(FPGA)的子系统开发的研究。我们的目标是在轨道上演示上述技术。我们将是第一个通过计划中的QB50立方体卫星任务展示使用新型固体推进剂微推进器的微推进器概念的加拿大团队。我们还将利用现场可编程门阵列开发创新的姿态控制和处理硬件，并在我们研制的气浮和亥姆霍兹保持架试验台上对其性能进行测试。 我们研究计划的总体目标是设计和运行能够执行地球观测任务的模块化和可重新配置的纳米卫星。根据技术论证任务的经验，我们还将研究上述技术在高空气球等纳米卫星以外的平台上在轨迹修正、姿态控制和分散控制领域的应用。 纳米卫星功能的扩展对加拿大空间工程的未来很重要，因为纳米卫星正迅速在全世界出现。为了确保加拿大在空间工业方面的持续领导地位，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，我们相信，纳米卫星将是全球覆盖、短时间重访和低成本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行业伙伴，以扩大加拿大未来执行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.