 Prototype of CU-E3 nanosatellite | |
| Names | CU-E3 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
| Operator | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Mission duration | 1 year (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Earth Escape Explorer |
| Spacecraft type | 6U CubeSat |
| Bus | XB1 (Blue Canyon Technologies - BCT) |
| Manufacturer | University of Colorado Boulder |
| Launch mass | 14 kg (31 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | NET 2024 (planned)[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Heliocentric orbit |
| Flyby of Moon | |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Uplink:C-band Downlink:X-band |
| Frequency | C-band: 5182MHz X-band: 8447.6 MHz[2] |
| Capacity | 13 bit/s (at 27 million km)[2] |
| EIRP | 108 dBm[2] |
NASA CubeQuest Challenge | |
Earth Escape Explorer (CU-E3) is ananosatellite of the 6UCubeSat format that will demonstrate long-distance communications while inheliocentric orbit.[3]
TheEarth Escape Explorer spacecraft is a student-driven effort atUniversity of Colorado Boulder to design and build the spacecraft as part of the NASA CubeQuest Challenge. It was planned to be one of thirteen CubeSats carried with theArtemis 1 mission into a heliocentric orbit incislunar space on the maiden flight of theSpace Launch System (SLS) and theOrion spacecraft, scheduled to launch in 2022.[4] Delays caused the spacecraft to miss its integration window to be included on Artemis 1; a new launch provider has not yet been chosen.[1]
The CU-E3 team is pursuing four different CubeQuest prizes: largest aggregate data volume; most error-free data blocks; the most distant communications fromEarth; and spacecraft longevity.[5]
Once deployed in the vicinity of theMoon, CU-E3 will use a lunargravity assist to propel itself into heliocentric orbit, trailing the Earth and slowly distancing itself over time.[3] By the end of its one-year mission, CU-E3 is planned to be as far as 27 million kilometers from Earth.[3] The spacecraft will use a commercial 6U CubeSat satellite body (bus) called XB1 of Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), measuring about 10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm. The mass is about 14 kg (31 lb).[6] Electric power will be provided bysolar panels and stored in rechargeablelithium batteries.
The mission is focused upon advancingdeep space CubeSat communication techniques using an innovativereflective array antenna, anX-band transmitter for downlink and aC-band transmitter for uplink.[2][3][5] The antenna array is "planar", meaning all of the elements are in one plane, yet provide a large aperture forbeam steering and make possible high data rates.[5] ATLAS Ground Networks will be the ground station for their uplink and downlink communications.[5] Their telecomm package is called High-Rate CubeSat Communication System (HRCCS).[2]
CU-E3 does not feature an onboard propulsion system, and will be usingsolar radiation pressure forreaction wheel desaturation andattitude control (orientation).[5]
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