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A neutral wind instrument for nano-satellite platforms.
L J Kordella1, G D Earle1, G Roth2
1Center for Space Science and Engineering Research, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060, USA.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|October 4, 2018
Summary
We developed a novel neutral wind sensor for small satellites, improving upon previous designs. Subsystem tests confirm its low-power operation and accurate measurements for low Earth orbit conditions.
Area of Science:
- Space physics
- Satellite instrumentation
- Atmospheric science
Background:
- Resource-limited nano-satellite platforms require specialized instruments.
- Previous ram wind sensors provided valuable atmospheric data.
- Next-generation sensors are needed for enhanced capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the first neutral wind sensor designed for nano-satellite platforms.
- To present a next-generation redesign of a proven satellite instrument.
- To evaluate the sensor's performance for low Earth orbit applications.
Main Methods:
- Redesign of the Communications/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) ram wind sensor.
- Development of a low-power instrument for resource-constrained missions.
- Subsystem testing under vacuum conditions simulating the space environment.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated low-power operation suitable for nano-satellites.
- Confirmed a promising design with good resolution of key parameters.
- Validated performance within expected low Earth orbit pressure and energy ranges.
Conclusions:
- The developed neutral wind sensor is suitable for deployment on resource-limited nano-satellite platforms.
- The instrument offers a viable solution for in-situ atmospheric measurements in LEO.
- Further validation in space is warranted to confirm real-world performance.
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