APPLICATION OF MICROSYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES FOR NANOSATELLITE DESIGN

建议：微型系统技术在纳米卫星设计中的应用 ** 我们设想下一代的纳米卫星将取代传统的（大规模、昂贵、国营的）卫星，用于私营企业或大学研究团队的各种任务（温室气体监测、生物研究的动物跟踪、海洋安全的船只跟踪、北方地区的通信等）。 该项目提出了为超小型卫星应用开发微系统技术的综合办法。 ** 超小型卫星（质量小于10公斤的航天器）不仅为HQP培训和技术演示，而且为天基研究提供了独特和新颖的机会。在过去十年中，超小型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，技术上仍然存在巨大差距，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。 目前超小型卫星的最新设计在很大程度上依赖于空间条件有限的商业电子设备，设计本身的灵活性很小。拟议的研究加强了子系统的设计，使卫星设计人员能够开发先进、负担得起、灵活的亚轨道飞行任务航天器。特别是，拟议的将微系统技术应用于超小型卫星设计的研究包括：（1）微推进系统设计;（2）基于微机电系统的姿态传感器和致动器设计及算法，以纳入其低级特性;（3）研究基于现场可编程门阵列的子系统开发。我们的目标是在轨道上展示上述技术。我们将是加拿大第一个通过计划中的QB 50立方体卫星使命演示使用新型固体推进剂微型推进器的微型推进器概念的小组。我们还将开发创新的姿态控制和处理硬件，使用FPGA和测试他们的性能，我们开发的实验台与空气轴承和亥姆霍兹保持架。** 我们研究计划的首要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新配置的纳米卫星。根据从技术示范使命中获得的经验，我们还打算审查在轨道修正、姿态控制和分散控制等领域，在超小型卫星以外的平台上使用上述技术的情况，如高空气球。** 随着超小型卫星在全世界迅速兴起，超小型卫星功能的扩展对加拿大空间工程的未来具有重要意义。为了确保加拿大继续在空间工业中发挥领导作用，我们需要利用超小型卫星的潜力，以具有成本效益和反应灵敏的方式满足业务需要。特别是，我们认为纳米卫星将是环境监测的一个关键因素，因为它覆盖全球，重访时间短，成本低。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，以扩大加拿大未来飞行任务的超小型卫星能力。

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.