Design optimization of a novel inter-satellite downlink for small satellites to (mega-)constellations

Low downlink data rates limit the scientific and commercial return from small satellites. Now with constellations of small satellites becoming popular, the amount of data generated in low Earth orbit will be greater than ever. A novel data downlink architecture for small satellites is investigated that uses non-geostationary orbit (mega-...

High Data-Rate Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) For Space-Based Interferometry

The inter-satellite link (ISL) in swarm and constellation missions is a key enabler in the autonomy of the mission. OLFAR (Orbiting Low Frequency Array for Radio astronomy) is one such mission where 10 to 50+ nanosatellites are placed in the Lunar orbit and perform astronomical observations from the far-side of the moon. Each of the...

Low Latency IoT/M2M Using Nano-Satellites

Nano-satellite IoT/M2M missions are gaining popularity in recent time. Various companies have launched their pilot missions last year in 2018 and all these companies intend to place a constellation in (V)LEO that can communicate with low power sensors on the ground (sometimes remote locations) and relay it back to the end-user who is monitoring...

An analytical model for characterizing the thrust performance of a Low-Pressure Micro-Resistojet

There is a clear trend towards the developments of micro-propulsion system to enhance the capabilities of nano- and pico-satellites. A promising propulsion option to meet the strict requirements of these small satellites is the Low-Pressure Micro-Resistojet (LPM) which works under rarefied gas dynamic regime. To simplify the engineering...

Swarm Satellites: Design, Characteristics and Applications

Satellite swarms are a novelty, yet promise to deliver unprecedented robustness and data-collection efficiency. They are so new in fact that even the definition of what a satellite swarm is is disputable, and consequently, the term "swarm" is used for practically any type of distributed space architecture. This thesis poses the proposed...

Autonomous Nevigation of Nano-satellites during Earth-Moon Transfer

High Efficiency Transmitter Architecture for Nano-satellites

The fast growing interest in nano-satellite development and the use of nano-satellite for complex missions has led to an increase in the downlink data-rate. The availability of free bands (amateur frequency bands: VHF and UHF) is getting limited and more challenging to do the frequency coordination. This can be attributed to the surge in number...