 | |
| Operator | Vilnius University,NanoAvionics |
|---|---|
| COSPAR ID | 2017-036D |
| SATCATno. | 42768 |
| Website | n-avionics |
| Mission duration | 3-15 months (planned) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 23 June 2017 |
| Rocket | PSLV |
| Launch site | Sriharikota |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
LituanicaSAT-2 is a 3ULithuanianCubeSat satellite launched on aPolar Satellite Launch Vehicle.[1] This mission is led byVilnius University in cooperation withNanoAvionics and is a part of the international "QB50" mission. LituanicaSAT-2 is an in-orbit technology demonstration mission during which the propulsion system prototype for small satellites will be tested. The satellite was deployed inSun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 475 km.[2]
LituanicaSAT-2 is a part of a network of 50 nano-satellites called "QB50" (EU 7FP project) led byVon Karman Institute, Belgium.[3] The science objective of the mission is to carry out long term measurements of key parameters and constituents in yet largely unexplored lower thermosphere and ionosphere.[4] The "QB50" mission is intended to demonstrate the possibility of launching a network of 50 CubeSats built by Universities Teams all over the world as a primary payload on a low-cost launch vehicle to perform first-class science.[5] Another purposes of the QB50 project is to achieve a sustained and affordable access to space for small scale research space missions and planetary exploration.[5]
The scientific purpose of LituanicaSAT-2 mission as a part of "QB50" is to provide long-term multipoint, in-situ measurements. The contribution of the LituanicaSAT-2 is to accomplish the molecular Oxygen measurements Flux-Φ-Probe Experiment (FIPEX).[2]
LituanicaSAT-2 is consisting of three main modules: a science unit with the FIPEX (Flux-Φ-Probe Experiment) sensor for "QB50", a functional unit withNanoAvionics Command and Service module plus power unit and an experimental unit with the "green" propulsion system.[4]
LituanicaSAT-2 is commanded byNanoAvionics SatBus 3C1 which is a main system bus unit based on high-performance, low power consumption STM ARM Cortex 32 bit architecture that integrates 3 in 1 functionality on a single board.[2] The propulsion sub-system is designed to provide 0.3N thrust and up to 200 m/s of delta V. The fuel used is a contemporary green monopropellant fuel blend based onammonium dinitramide (ADN). It gives 252 s ofIsp, has a density of 1.24 g/cm3 with a chamber temperature of 1600 °C. Key fuel selection factors were non-toxicity, stability and benign handling properties at the same time giving very similar or even better performance as a worldwide provenhydrazine monopropellants. CurrentTRL is at level 5/6.[3]
The power generation of LituanicaSAT-2 is provided by 4 fixed and 4 deployable mono crystalline silicon solar panels custom designed and manufactured byNanoAvionics. The panels are able to reach an efficiency of 20%.[2]
LituanicaSAT-2 structure is custom designed byNanoAvionics and manufactured locally. The structure is made of 7075 aluminium alloy with hard anodized surfaces.[2] Some of LituanicaSAT-2 parts were 3D-printed using special materials approved for aerospace industry.[6]
On 23 June 2017, the satellite was launched into Sun-synchronous orbit viaPSLV. The propulsion tests were successfully executed on 5 July.[7]