The Architecture of CubeSats and PocketQubes

Towards a Lean and Reliable Implementation of Subsystems and Their Interfaces

Doctoral thesis (2021)

Authors

J. Bouwmeester Space Systems Egineering
Research Group
Space Systems Egineering
Copyright: © 2021 J. Bouwmeester
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4233/uuid:acac18a9-0dc1-46dc-8abb-045140a07b51
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Published Date

10-08-2021

Language

English

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Research Group

Space Systems Egineering

Abstract

This thesis provides an innovative architecture for CubeSats and PocketQubes to improve their performance and reliability. CubeSats and PocketQubes are standard satellite form factors composed of one or more cubic units of 10 cm and 5 cm respectively. It is found that the current modular subsystem approach and the electrical interfaces are not optimal in terms of performance and use of technical resources. Reliability is also a concern for CubeSats. Only 35% are able to achieve full mission success. Available literature provides no comprehensive studies on these matters and there is thus a gap in knowledge to be filled. The objective of this study is to identify and quantify the performance and reliability issues related to the physical arrangement of subsystems and the electrical interfaces and to develop an innovative bus architecture which is reliable, flexible and allows for increased performance. The overarching research question is: ”Which satellite bus architecture provides a reliable solution to the needs and constraints of a CubeSat and a PocketQube mission?”