CubeSat Handbook

CubeSat Handbook

by Chantal Cappelletti, Simone Battistini, Benjamin K. Malphrus
Released September 2020
Publisher(s): Academic Press
ISBN: 9780128178850

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Book description

CubeSat Handbook: From Mission Design to Operations is the first book solely devoted to the design, manufacturing, and in-orbit operations of CubeSats. Beginning with an historical overview from CubeSat co-inventors Robert Twiggs and Jordi Puig-Suari, the book is divided into 6 parts with contributions from international experts in the area of small satellites and CubeSats. It covers topics such as standard interfaces, on-board & ground software, industry standards in terms of control algorithms and sub-systems, systems engineering, standards for AITV (assembly, integration, testing and validation) activities, and launch regulations.

This comprehensive resource provides all the information needed for engineers and developers in industry and academia to successfully design and launch a CubeSat mission.

  • Provides an overview on all aspects that a CubeSat developer needs to analyze during mission design and its realization
  • Features practical examples on how to design and deal with possible issues during a CubeSat mission
  • Covers new developments and technologies, including ThinSats and PocketQubeSats

Table of contents

  1. Cover image
  2. Title page
  3. Table of Contents
  4. Copyright
  5. Contributors
  6. About the editors
  7. Preface
  8. Introduction: The history of the CubeSat by Bob Twiggs and Jordi Puig-Suari
    1. 1: The CubeSat standard
    2. 2: The PPOD
    3. 3: The first CubeSat launches
    4. 4: CanSat—The proto-history of the CubeSat
    5. 5: NASA and NSF get in the game
    6. 6: The PocketQube
    7. 7: The ThinSat
    8. 8: CubeSats take off
  9. Part One: Systems engineering applied to CubeSats
    1. Introduction
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Systems engineering standards overview
      4. 3: Phases, documentation, and project reviews
      5. 4: Requirements definition: User, mission, and system
      6. 5: Mission cost analysis
      7. 6: Summary
  10. Part Two: CubeSat missions analysis and design
    1. 1: Applied astrodynamics
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Principles and laws of astrodynamics
      4. 3: Perturbations
      5. 4: Leveraging natural dynamics in interplanetary missions
    2. 2: CubeSat missions and applications
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Applications
      4. 3: CubeSats enhancing traditional satellite missions and objectives
      5. 4: CubeSats supporting space-borne experiments
      6. 5: CubeSats as technology demonstrators
      7. 6: CubeSats as deep space explorers
      8. 7: CubeSats as distributed instruments in constellations
      9. 8: Conclusions
    3. 3: CubeSat science instruments
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction to CubeSat science instruments
      3. 2: Current and planned CubeSat instruments
      4. 3: The future of CubeSat instruments
    4. 4: Interplanetary CubeSat missions
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Destinations
      4. 3: What makes interplanetary CubeSats different?
      5. 4: Historical perspective and the first interplanetary CubeSat developers
      6. 5: Solution paths to uniquely interplanetary challenges
      7. 6: Mission implementation
      8. 7: Planned NASA interplanetary CubeSat missions
      9. 8: Planned ESA interplanetary CubeSat missions
      10. 9: Future opportunities
    5. 5: Distributed CubeSat mission concepts
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Distributed CubeSat system concepts
      4. 3: Enabling technologies
      5. 4: Conclusion
    6. 6: Constellations and formation flying
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Distributed space system definitions and features
      3. 2: CubeSats constellations: Control problems and solutions
      4. 3: Nanosatellites formation flight control
    7. 7: CubeSats for microbiology and astrobiology research
      1. Abstract
      2. Acknowledgments
      3. 1: Introduction
      4. 2: CubeSats for microbiology research
      5. 3: CubeSats for astrobiology research
      6. 4: Upcoming missions
      7. 5: Discussion
  11. Part Three: CubeSat subsystems design and modelling
    1. 8: Structure, new materials, and new manufacturing technologies
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Requirements and main characteristics
      4. 3: Design and verification process
      5. 4: Materials and manufacturing
      6. 5: Tests
      7. 6: CubeSat-derived form factors
      8. 7: Conclusions
    2. 9: Electric power systems
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Electric power generation
      4. 3: Power storage
      5. 4: Power conditioning and distribution
      6. 5: Power budget
      7. 6: Conclusions
    3. 10: On-board data handling systems
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Component overview
      4. 3: Design considerations
      5. 4: Design example—RAX
      6. 5: Emerging trends
    4. 11: Telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C)
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction: Key factors to consider when designing TT&C for CubeSats
      3. 2: Telecommunication system design
      4. 3: Telecommunication components for CubeSats
      5. 4: Optical telecommunications for CubeSat
    5. 12: Onboard software
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Responsibilities of the onboard software
      4. 3: Software architecture
      5. 4: Software development process
      6. 5: Mission experiences
      7. 6: Conclusion
    6. 13: Orbit determination and control system
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Orbit determination
      4. 3: Orbit control
    7. 14: Attitude determination and control systems
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Sensors
      4. 3: Actuators
      5. 4: Attitude control classification
      6. 5: Attitude determination mathematical techniques
      7. 6: Active attitude control approaches, techniques and algorithms
      8. 7: Concluding comments
    8. 15: Propulsion system
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Overview
      3. 2: Propulsion system assessment
      4. 3: Propulsion system sizing
      5. 4: Propulsion technology mission applications
      6. 5: Conclusion
    9. 16: Thermal control system
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Workflow to design thermal control system for SmallSat spacecraft/CubeSats
      4. 3: Thermal management challenges
      5. 4: Heat balance estimation
      6. 5: Power
      7. 6: Hardware for satellite temperature control (STC)
  12. Part Four: CubeSat assembly, integration, testing and verification
    1. Introduction
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Reliability growth through AITV activities
      4. 3: International standard applied to CubeSat AITV activities
      5. 4: Concluding remarks
  13. Part Five: CubeSat ground segment and operations
    1. 17: Ground segment
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Ground segment overview
      4. 3: Ground station
      5. 4: Ground segment software
      6. 5: Ground segment operation
    2. 18: Ground station networks
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Ground segment development for CubeSat missions
      3. 2: Networked ground stations
      4. 3: Conclusions
    3. 19: In-space operations
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Preparation for operations
      4. 3: First contact
      5. 4: Commissioning
      6. 5: Prime mission and beyond
      7. 6: Looking to the future
    4. 20: CubeSats and orbital debris
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: CubeSat mission analysis
      4. 3: CubeSats as measurement and remediation platforms for orbital debris
      5. 4: Summary
  14. Part Six: Getting CubeSats to space
    1. 21: Launching a CubeSat: Rules, laws, and best practice
      1. Abstract
      2. Acknowledgments
      3. 1: CubeSats: A different class of satellites?
      4. 2: Space law
      5. 3: Licensing and mission authorization
      6. 4: Radio-frequency registration
      7. 5: Space object registration
      8. 6: Safety and cleanliness
      9. 7: Export control
      10. 8: Space debris mitigation, collision avoidance, and reentry casualty risk
      11. 9: Third-party liability and insurance
    2. 22: Deployers
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Deployer overview
      3. 2: Launch services requirements and documentation
      4. 3: Deployer characteristics
      5. 4: CubeSat to deployer testing
      6. 5: Additional CubeSat design considerations
      7. 6: Conclusion
    3. 23: Launch vehicle overview
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: Introduction
      3. 2: Launch vehicle families
      4. 3: Launch vehicle selection: Alternative solutions
      5. 4: Conclusions
    4. 24: Launch from the ISS
      1. Abstract
      2. 1: History
      3. 2: Mission overview [1]
      4. 3: Advantage of launching from the ISS [1]
      5. 4: Launch history and lessons learned
  15. Index

Product information

  • Title: CubeSat Handbook
  • Author(s): Chantal Cappelletti, Simone Battistini, Benjamin K. Malphrus
  • Release date: September 2020
  • Publisher(s): Academic Press
  • ISBN: 9780128178850