• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-138
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• 2017

The current study designs the mission orbit of the lunar CubeSat spacecraft to measure the lunar local magnetic anomaly. To perform this mission, the CubeSat will impact the lunar surface over the Reiner Gamma swirl on the Moon. Orbit analyses are conducted comprising ${\Delta}V$ and error propagation analysis for the CubeSat mission orbit. First, three possible orbit scenarios are presented in terms of the CubeSat's impacting trajectories. For each scenario, it is important to achieve mission objectives with a minimum ${\Delta}V$ since the CubeSat is limited in size and cost. Therefore, the ${\Delta}V$ needed for the CubeSat to maneuver from the initial orbit toward the impacting trajectory is analyzed for each orbit scenario. In addition, error propagation analysis is performed for each scenario to evaluate how initial errors, such as position error, velocity error, and maneuver error, that occur when the CubeSat is separated from the lunar orbiter, eventually affect the final impact position. As a result, the current study adopts a CubeSat release from the circular orbit at 100 km altitude and an impact slope of $15^{\circ}$, among the possible impacting scenarios. For this scenario, the required ${\Delta}V$ is calculated as the result of the ${\Delta}V$ analysis. It can be used to practically make an estimate of this specific mission's fuel budget. In addition, the current study suggests error constraints for ${\Delta}V$ for the mission.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.257-268
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• 2015

Characteristics of delta-V requirements for deploying an impactor from a mother-ship at different orbital altitudes are analyzed in order to prepare for a future lunar CubeSat impactor mission. A mother-ship is assumed to be orbiting the moon with a circular orbit at a 90 deg inclination and having 50, 100, 150, 200 km altitudes. Critical design parameters that are directly related to the success of the impactor mission are also analyzed including deploy directions, CubeSat flight time, impact velocity, and associated impact angles. Based on derived delta-V requirements, required thruster burn time and fuel mass are analyzed by adapting four different miniaturized commercial onboard thrusters currently developed for CubeSat applications. As a result, CubeSat impact trajectories as well as thruster burn characteristics deployed at different orbital altitudes are found to satisfy the mission objectives. It is concluded that thrust burn time should considered as the more critical design parameter than the required fuel mass when deducing the onboard propulsion system requirements. Results provided through this work will be helpful in further detailed system definition and design activities for future lunar missions with a CubeSat-based payload.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.213-223
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• 2019

This paper analyzes delta-Vs to maintain an extremely low altitude on the Moon and investigates the possibilities of performing a CubeSat mission. To formulate the station-keeping (SK) problem at an extremely low altitude, current work has utilized real-flight performance proven software, the Systems Tool Kit Astrogator by Analytical Graphics Inc. With a high-fidelity force model, properties of SK maneuver delta-Vs to maintain an extremely low altitude are successfully derived with respect to different sets of reference orbits; of different altitudes as well as deadband limits. The effect of the degree and order selection of lunar gravitational harmonics on the overall SK maneuver strategy is also analyzed. Based on the derived SK maneuver delta-V costs, the possibilities of performing a CubeSat mission are analyzed with the expected mission lifetime by applying the current flight-proven miniaturized propulsion system performances. Moreover, the lunar surface coverage as well as the orbital characteristics of a candidate reference orbit are discussed. As a result, it is concluded that an approximately 15-kg class CubeSat could maintain an orbit (30-50 km reference altitude having ${\pm}10km$ deadband limits) around the Moon for 1-6 months and provide almost full coverage of the lunar surface.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.108.2-108.2
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• 2014

과거 달 탐사 미션으로 달에는 global magnetic fields는 존재하지 않고 표면에 국부적으로 자기장이 존재함이 확인되었다. 그러나 이렇게 측정된 자기장 데이터는 일정 고도 (> 20 km) 이상에서 측정되었기 때문에, 지표에 비해 그 세기가 매우 약해 자기장의 형태와 분포를 연구하는데 한계가 있다. 보다 자세한 연구를 위해서는 표면에서부터 다양한 고도에 이르는 위치에서 측정된 자기장 데이터가 필요하며, 이는 달 표토의 자화나 Swirl 형성 메커니즘을 이해하는데 중요한 정보이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 큐브위성을 이용하여 저궤도부터 지표까지의 자기장을 측정하는 방안을 소개한다. 큐브위성은 달 궤도 모선에서 사출되어 자기이상 지역 표면에 충돌하는 임무를 가진다. 자력계는 모선과 큐브위성에 각각 탑재되어 자기장을 측정하며, 모선으로 부터 사출된 큐브위성은 충돌 직전까지 자기장을 측정하고 모선에 습득한 데이터를 실시간으로 전송한다. 이렇게 측정된 자기장 데이터는 모선의 궤도부터 표면에 이르기까지 여러 고도에서 측정되었기 때문에 자기이상 지역의 자기장 구조를 파악하는데 중요한 자료로 활용할 수 있다. 이에 본 연구에서는 달의 자기이상 지역과 큐브위성 임무 설계에 대하여 기술하였다.