ABSTRACT
This tutorial provides an overview of the range of spacecraft that are in the SmallSat class (up to 500kg). These satellites typically launch as ride-shares, limiting the choices of orbit but reduce launch costs compared with dedicated launches. Because these satellites are normally launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the space environment can be much more benign than experienced by spacecraft operating at MEO, GEO or deep space spacecraft that leave Earth orbit which opens up the opportunity to implement a 'careful COTS' approach to electronic parts selection. The benefit of leveraging commercial components (often to Industrial, automotive or military standards) extends beyond low cost, into dramatic increases in capability, with much more functionality available for much lower power consumption than space-rated electronics. Thus 'New Space' satellites can offer a very attractive value proposition. This tutorial draws on Doug's experience of designing, building, testing and flying spacecraft spanning the spectrum from deep-space missions to CubeSats and small-satellites, describing the typical classes of satellites being built and the key design drivers and performance levels to be expected.
BIOGRAPHY
Doug Griffin is an executive Director and Chief Engineer of Skykraft Pty. Ltd., an Australian company that designs and builds small-satellite constellations. Doug started his career in the European Space Industry before returning to Australia 5 years ago as Chief Engineer at UNSW Canberra Space, and now spin-out Skykraft.
An Australian mechanical engineer by training, over a 20-year period in Europe, Doug worked for an aerospace prime (Alenia Aerospazio now Thales Alenia Space), the University of Oxford and in National Research Laboratories in Italy and the UK (ENEA & the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory – RAL Space). He led the Space Systems Engineering group at RAL Space and developed spacecraft payloads for European Space Agency and NASA Earth Observation and Space Science missions.
Doug was instrumental in setting up the Australian National Concurrent Design Facility at UNSW Canberra, where space mission concepts can be matured to fundable stages.