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Kerry Fessenden, Joseph Maccio, Brian McDaniel, and Thomas Muntaner
Parks College of Engineering, Aviation & Technology
Saint Louis University
Advisor: Dr. Michael Swartwout
Abstract
The "Magnetic-field Research in Low Earth Orbit (MR LEO)" mission is a proof-of-concept mission for incidental science?. The MR LEO space segment will rely on COTS CubeSat technologies and terrestrial components for a 20-day mission to collect local magnetic field measurements in low-Earth orbit. To meet the objectives of the incidental science concept, every subsystem is reduced to essential requirements and in some cases eliminated. For example, the MR LEO spacecraft has no uplink capability and downlink capabilities use existing communication infrastructures through mobile-phone networks (i.e. relaying data through text messages to the ground station via the ubiquitous cell phone towers). Therefore, MR LEO will not be equipped with uplink abilities. Similarly, simplifying approaches such as battery-only or solar-panel-only power systems and flight-testing of rapid prototype manufactured structure are being explored.
The refreshed subsystems approach for this mission paves the way for more improvements in the future. As major mission components shift to more cost-effective components, future CubeSat missions will allow or more robust approaches to scientific research in Earth orbits as well as other locations in our Solar System. A successful demonstration of MR LEO's communications approach will be the first step towards the goal of providing effective and inexpensive tools to space scientists. This paper will outline the theory of incidental-science missions and their potential benefits. The MR LEO mission will be presented and all key subsystems defined. The current status of the project, including the schedule for a proposed 2012 flight, will be discussed.
Kerry Fessenden is an undergraduate student in Aerospace Engineering, class of 2011 (spring).
Joseph Maccio is an undergraduate student in Aerospace Engineering, class of 2011 (spring).
Brian McDaniel is an undergraduate student in Engineering Physics with Aerospace Concentration, class of 2011 (spring).
Thomas Muntaner is an undergraduate student in Aerospace Engineering, class of 2011 (fall).
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