Constellation Phasing with Differential Drag on Planet Labs Satellites

Foster, Cyrus; Mason, James; Vittaldev, Vivek; Leung, Lawrence; Beukelaers, Vincent; Stepan, Leon; Zimmerman, Rob

doi:10.2514/1.a33927

Cited by 47 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The Planet constellation currently consists of nearly 200 3U cubesats (10 × 10 × 30 cm) that use nonpropulsive phasing to create an evenly distributed network of Earth observing sensors (Foster et al, ). Their main mission is to image Earth's surface at high cadence and coverage.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Commercial Cubesat Constellations for Auroral Science: A Case Study

et al. 2019

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Magnetometers deployed on the largest satellite constellation to date are leveraged as a space‐based sensor network to study space‐time variability in auroral field‐aligned currents (FACs). The cubesat constellation of Planet Labs Inc. consists of nearly 200 satellites in two polar Sun‐synchronous orbits, with median spacecraft separations on the order of 375 km, and some occasions of opportunity providing much closer spacing. Each spacecraft contains a magnetoinductive magnetometer, able to sample the ambient magnetic field at 0.1 to 10 Hz with <200‐nT sensitivity. In this study, seven satellites from the Planet constellation were used to investigate space‐time variations in FACs over an active auroral display during a 10‐min interval. The aurora occurred during the early recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm and was characterized by large‐scale vortical motions and embedded rayed structure. Clear signatures of the large‐scale auroral current system were detected by the orbital magnetometers. Estimation of FAC patterns was carried out using three different methods. The results suggest a high degree of spatial and temporal variability during the 10‐min interval. The location of upward and downward current channels relative to the aurora was consistent with theoretical expectations, but current densities were not well correlated with visible features in the available imagery, suggesting unresolved small‐scale structure not captured by the collaborative observations. Advantages, limitations, and caveats in using opportunistic networks of low‐quality space‐based magnetometers to study dynamic auroral phenomena are discussed.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Leveraging Commercial Cubesat Constellations for Auroral Science: A Case Study

et al. 2019

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“…Employing several of these satellites and combining their capacities promises entirely novel applications. Most prominently, Planet [1] and Spire [2] have launched constellations, i.e., hundred or more, small satellites for new, unparalleled commercial uses which were economically unachievable with larger satellites of the past. Others satellite swarms serve scientific purposes [3].…”

Section: Formation Flightmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A new method to generate control forces for formation flight is the use of aerodynamic forces such as drag and lift. While Planet Inc. [1] and others already use drag for distance maintenance, Ivanov [9] and Traub [17] showed that lift can also be used; lift is particularly well suited for formation flight as it enables out-of-orbital-plane forces.…”

Section: Solar-aerodynamic Controlled Formationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Here, we selected the NRLMSISE-00 model [25] as it is publicly available and provides the necessary information such as temperature, chemical composition, neutral density and variation with diurnal, annual and the repeating 11-year solar cycle. The (1) [26]. Moreover, the model resolves variations with Earth's longitude and latitude.…”

Section: Residual Atmospherementioning

confidence: 99%

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Autonomous formation flight using solar radiation pressure

Thoemel

Dam

2021

CEAS Space J

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Autonomous formation flight enables new satellite missions for novel applications. The cost and limits of propulsion systems can be overcome if environmental resources are being benefitted of. Currently, atmospheric drag is used in low Earth orbit to this end. Solar radiation pressure, which is of similar order of magnitude as aerodynamic ram pressure, is, however, always neglected. We introduce this force and show that it can be exploited. We demonstrate through simulations that a formation geometry is established quicker if the solar radiation pressure is modeled.

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“…Previous work investigating the efficient deployment of satellite constellations from a single launch has tended to focus on the use of differential drag techniques [10,11]. For satellites with high-thrust propulsion capabilities, Baranov et al [12] propose the use of impulsive maneuvers to enter and exit an intermediate orbit that can be used to obtain the desired satellite spacing.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%