Title
Condititions and Potential Applications for PocketQubes
Author
Bouwmeester, J. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering) 
Radu, S. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering)
Uludag, M.S.
Chronas Foteinakis, N. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering)
Speretta, S. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering)
Menicucci, A. (TU Delft Space Systems Egineering)
Gill, E.K.A. (TU Delft Space Engineering)
Department
Space Engineering
Date
2018
Abstract
PocketQubes are a new form factor of highly miniaturized satellites with a body of one or more cubic units of 5 cm. The characteristics of PocketQubes in terms or legal and regulatory aspects, the technological readiness levels and financial considerations are assessed. In particular, an analysis of orbital decay characteristics has been carried out which together with existing space law suggest that PocketQubes should preferably be launched in very low Earth orbits below 500 km altitude. To make PocketQubes attractive platforms, not only the launch cost, but also the development, production and operations cost should be significantly lower than CubeSats . Due to technical constraints, such as form factor, power and attitude control, the domain of applications is, especially for single PocketQube mission constrained. Still, they can act as low cost training or technology demonstration platforms. When launched in high numbers, networks of PocketQubes can enable new applications for Earth observation and niche communication services. Applications considered feasible are in the field of (but not limited to) continuous surveillance using optical instruments, gravity field monitoring using precise orbit determination, in-situ measurements of the space environment and low data rate or bandwidth communication services.
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:06b2d8a1-dbf7-4012-bb9b-801dcbd15551
Embargo date
2021-11-08
Source
Proceedings Small Satellites, System & Services Symposium (4S): Sorrento, Italy, 2018
Event
4S 2018: Small Satellites, System & Services Symposium, 2018-05-28 → 2018-06-01, Sorrento, Italy
Bibliographical note
Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.
Part of collection
Institutional Repository
Document type
conference paper
Rights
© 2018 J. Bouwmeester, S. Radu, M.S. Uludag, N. Chronas Foteinakis, S. Speretta, A. Menicucci, E.K.A. Gill