• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.423-433
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• 2022

This paper introduces the case studies of launch environmental test for cube nanosatellites and lessons learned of the design and integration from those. Generally, nanosatellites are launched and deployed in space while being contained in nanosatellite deployers, mechanical loads of launch are transferred through the deployer. This characteristic make nanosatellites under larger loads and higher possibilities of mechanical failure. This study represents guidelines of the design and the integration of the nanosatellites by showing the cases of launch environmental test of nanosatellite system. Moreover, it is suggested that the modern nanosatellite deployer with the capability of fixing the internal nanosatellite be preferable to conventional deployer by comparing the test results with those deployers.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.49 no.11
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• pp.919-931
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• 2021

In the recent New Space era, Nanosatellites are being used to carry out space business and practical missions by private space companies, government agencies and military reconnaissance organizations, away from satellite system education tools. In Korea, the development of nanosatellite satellites, which started with universities at the center, is gradually being attempted by various subjects, including private industries. However, it is not easy to find relevant information to share the experience and prepare for the space environment test, test results, and the various problems that may arise in the process, which can increase the chances of mission success for nanosatellites. In this paper, we expect that the subjects who want to develop the nanosatellite(SNIPE) will be used as useful references for reducing trial and error and increasing the possibility of mission success by organizing the 6U-class space environment test, test process, test results and problems.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.319-336
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• 2021

This paper discusses the results of launch environment tests for the engineering qualification model (EQM) of nanosatellite Scale magNetospheric and Ionospheric Plasma Experiment (SNIPE) for scientific missions and lessons learned for the design of nanosatellites. SNIPE is a group of four formation-flying 6U nanosatellites with a range of payloads for missions including space weather measurement. We developed the EQM to verify the preliminary design prior to fabricating the flight model. Launch environment test of EQM was conducted for the first time in 2019, and all failures were corrected and verified at the second test conducted in 2021. A notable point of the two tests is that the nanosatellite deployer used in the first test is different from that of the second test. The second deployer has the capability to fix the internal satellite whereas the first deployer just contains and deploys the satellite. Thus actual mechanical loads the satellite receives is reduced for the second test compared to the first test. This work compares the mechanical responses of two tests and proposes general guidelines for structural design of nanosatellites.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2021

This research discusses the change in radio frequency (RF) characteristics according to the number of Gores on the deployable mesh antennas for potential micro-satellite applications. The deployable type of lightweight mesh antenna can be used for various space missions such as communication/SAR/ SIGINT. In order to implement an ideal curvature of antenna surface, sufficient number of antenna rib structures are required. However, the increase in antenna ribs affects various design factors of the antenna system, especially total system mass, complexity of deployable mechanism and reliability. In this paper, the proper number of ribs for the mesh antenna were derived by comparison of electro-magnetic (EM) simulation results of example of antenna model in accordance with the various number of ribs.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.627-636
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• 2021

Although many studies on ship detection using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite images are being conducted around the world, there are still very few employing SAR microsatellites, as most of the microsatellites are optical satellites. Recently, the ICEYE and Capella Space have embarked on the development of microsatellites with SAR sensor, and similar projects are being initiated globally in line with the flow of the new space era [e.g., for the ICEYE: 18 satellites (~2021); Capella Space: 36 satellites (~2023); and the Coast Guard SAR: 32 satellites in the early development stage]. In preparation for these new systems, it is important to review the SAR microsatellite system and the recent advances in this technology. Accordingly, in this paper, the current status and characteristics of optical and SAR microsatellite constellation operation are described, and studies using them are investigated. In addition, based on the status and characteristics of the representative SAR microsatellites, specifically the ICEYE and Capella systems, methods for using SAR microsatellite data for ship detection applications are described. Our results confirm that the SAR microsatellites operate as a constellation and have the advantages of short revisit cycles and quick provision of high-resolution images. With this technology, we expect SAR microsatellites to contribute greatly to the monitoring a wide-area target vessel, in which the spatiotemporal resolution of the imagery is especially important.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.105-114
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to present a conceptual design of the 6U micro-satellite system for optical image of 3 m GSD. An optical camera system with a payload of 3 m GSD image was designed and optimized. The optical system has a diameter of Ø78 mm, length 250 mm, and 1400 mm focal length. The requirement and constraints were configured for the 6U micro-satellite bus system with the payload. Satisfying the requirement and constraints, the subsystems of the 6U bus were designed such as attitude and orbit control, propulsion, command and data handling, electrical power, communication, structures and mechanisms, and thermal control subsystem. The mass budget, power budget, and communication link budget were also confirmed for the 6U micro-satellite comprising the optical payload and the subsystems of bus. To take optical images, a mission operation concept is proposed for the 6U micro-satellite in a low-Earth orbit. A constellation comprising many 6U micro-satellites studied in this paper, can provide with various data for reconnaissance and disaster tracking.

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2022

In this paper, we described the development of a drag augmentation device for nanosatellite. Recently, space industry has entered the New Space era, and barriers to entry into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for artificial objects such as small rockets and nanosatellite mega constellations have been significantly lowered. As a result, the number of space debris is increasing exponentially, and it is approaching as a major threat to satellite currently in operation as well as satellites to be launched in near future. To prevent this, international organizations like Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) have been proposed space debris mitigation guidelines. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) conducted KARI Rendezvous & Docking demonstration SATellite (KARDSAT) project, the first nanosatellites for rendezvous and docking technology demonstration in Korea, and we also developed drag augmentation device for KARDSAT Target nanosatellite that complied with the international guideline of post-mission disposal.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.26-37
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• 2018

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute has developed a 6U HiREV Nano-satellite for the observation of the earth using high resolution videos and images. Since the 6U Nano-satellite is bulky compared to the 1U/3U Nano-satellite, the first natural frequency is relatively low. Large equivalent stress and total deformation, due to structural load, can be generated. In this paper, the design of the 6U HiREV Nano-satellite is described and structure analysis, such as acceleration load analysis, modal analysis, and random vibration analysis are carried out. It is proven that the structural design of the 6U HiREV is stable. These results will be useful as reference materials for the development of additional 6U Nano-satellites, which will be applied to various future missions in KOREA.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.40.2-40.2
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• 2017

인공위성을 이용한 우주망원경 및 우주탐사장비는 천문학 및 우주과학 연구에 매우 중요한 관측 장비로서 지상에서 불가능한 다양한 파장대에서 관측을 수행하고 있다. 이러한 우주망원경의 경우 개발기간과 비용 또한 상대적으로 매우 큰 규모를 가지고 있다. 또한 장시간의 관측을 위한 관측위성의 운영 신뢰도 확보와 결과 활용을 위해 많은 연구 인력이 투입되는 거대 연구개발 사업이다. 그러나 최근에는 초소형 인공위성을 이용하여 여러 우주관측 및 실험이 수행되고 있다. 큐브위성으로 명명되어 있는 초소형 인공위성은 크기와 전력의 제한은 있지만 상대적으로 단기간의 개발일정과 저비용으로 전 세계적으로 폭발적인 성장을 하고 있는 관측기술이다. 경희대학교에서는 CINEMA라는 2개의 큐브위성을 개발 운영하였고, SIGMA 라는 큐브위성을 개발하여 발사를 기다리고 있다. 또한 향 후 광학관측을 위한 초소형 인공위성을 기획하고 있다. 국내에서는 천문우주용으로 제작되는 위성이외에도 다양한 기술검증용 위성이 10여기 이상 제작되고 있는 상황이다. 이에 초소형인공위성의 동향과 향 후 천문우주 관측에 활용 할 수 있는 방안에 대하여 논의 하였다.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2022

As interest in microsatellites increases, research has been actively conducted recently on the performance and use, as well as the orbital design and deployment techniques, for the microsatellite constellations. The purpose of this study was to investigate orbital deployment techniques using thrust and differential atmospheric drag control (DADC) for the Walker-delta constellation. When using thrust, the time and thrust required for orbital deployment vary, depending on the separation speed and direction of the satellite with respect to the launch vehicle. A control strategy to complete the orbital deployment with limited performance of the propulsion system is suggested and it was analyzed. As a result, the relationship between the deployment period and the total thrust consumption was derived. It takes a relatively longer deployment time using differential air drag rather than consuming thrusts. It was verified that the satellites can be deployed only with differential air drag at a general orbit of a microsatellite constellation. The conclusion of this study suggests that the deployment strategy in this paper can be used for the microsatellite constellation.