UNICORN-2 SATELLITE
Dr. C. Constantinides (MM6XOM)
OVERVIEW
• Miniature Satellites & Alba Orbital
– The goal
– Scaling down & flying
– The satellites: Unicorn-1 & 2
• Configuration of the Unicorn-2 satellite
– Overview
– Guidance system
– Ground station
Applications & potential collaborations
R&D / Commercial / Ham Radio Challenges
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• The shrinking is well justified
– Compact Less expensive & Less Junk in Space
• Possibility of having bigger satellite constellations
– Easier tracking
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Make it fly !!
6p POD 96p POD
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Alba Orbital & PocketQubes
• Working up from parts to full platforms
• 10 FT Staff and growing
• Currently planning for production rate of 1/month with new facilities (2020-2021)
When in space
96p pod
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/gallery/
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FROM UNICORN – 1 ...
Size: 2p (Double PocketQube), 50mm x 50 mm x114mm
Payload Volume: 1P (50mm x 50mm x 50mm)
Mass: 490 grams (approx). 100g available for payload
Payload: S-band Inter Satellite Link (ISL) radio,
Orbit: SSO
Power: 1W On-Orbit Average Power
Passive attitude stabilisation
PQ60 Payload Compatible - see www.pq60.net
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...TO UNICORN - 2
UNICORN - 2
z
x
y
X = 50 mm Y = 50 mm Z = 192 mm
750 gr.
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Configuration of the satellite
Sun
Sensors
Solar UHF ANT
Panels
Magnetorquers &
Reaction Wheels
S-band ANT UHF radio
Aluminum
Body
Batteries
Base
Plate
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Configuration of the Unicorn-2 satellite
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Pointing System
Pointing accuracy of 5 degrees.
Two 2 axis sun sensors
4 Light Dependent Resistors,
3 brushless motors with reaction
wheels
3 axis magnetometer &
magnetorquers.
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Configuration of the communications system: Overview
F_uplink
SATELLITE
F_downlink
Uplink/downlink frequencies
GROUND can be different or the same
STATION
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Configuration of the communications system: Overview
F_uplink
SATELLITE
F_downlink
Uplink/downlink frequencies
GROUND can be different or the same
STATION
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Configuration of the communications system: Ground Station
Tx PA
Rx LNA
SWITCH
Motors to rotate antenna in Azimuth & Elevation
Cables of high quality and minimum length as
frequency increases
Upgrade to operate in S-band as well
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Characteristics
• Mission characteristics
– Mission orbit : LEO @ 385 km with 97o inclination.
– Amateur frequencies : 437.16 MHz & 2405 MHz.
– Orbital life < 45 days – Mission : technical demo with imaging
• Link characteristics
– UHF LINK:
• UPLINK & DOWNLINK: ~0 dBW.
• GFSK modulation
• GS antenna: Circular Yagi with 14.15 dBic of gain with 30 o HPBW
• Satellite Antenna : Monopole of ~ 3dBi
– S-band LINK:
• DOWNLINK
– Power ~ 0 dBW
– GMSK Modulation
• GS antenna : CP dish with 32 dBic of gain with 3 o HPBW
• Satellite Antenna CP patch with 5 dBic of gain with 80 o HPBW
– Custom made radios for the satellite (and the GS if necessary)
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WHAT WE LEARNED
• Optimize your system:
Especially at higher frequencies (comms)
MINIMIZE DEPLOYABLES
– PLAN YOUR TEST CAMPAIGN
VIBE, BAKEOUT & TVAC
– THE LINK BUDGET
• http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/spreadsheet.htm
– CHOOSE EQUIPMENT WELL
• https://www.kuhne-electronic.de/
• http://www.icomuk.co.uk/IC-910H/Amateur_Radio_Ham_Base_Stations
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Potential applications & Collaborations
• Low-cost technology for commercial applications
• Less than 1 kg of weight → making it easier for anyone to launch a satellite.
use of 3D Printing, which has the potential to significantly reduce the manufacturing cost, total time for the design cycle, and
material waste
Combinations of 3, 6 or 12 PocketQubes can carry out commercial applications.
Single cubes were developed as tools for teaching and technical demonstration.
But these larger, more powerful crafts offer new kinds of opportunities.
Earth Observation
Constellations of these crafts take more frequent images than traditional satellites.
One satellite can take up to 48hrs to fly back over the same site.
A swarm of 50 satellites would take an image almost every hour.
Capable of approximately 15m GSD @ 350km Orbit.
Can be upgraded to hit better specs
Look at different spectral bands.
Internet of Things Missions
Inter Satellite Links mission with STARA SPACE
R&D Collaborations
Integrating Antennas on Solar Panels
Propulsion system Integration
Deployable lens
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Potential applications & Collaborations
• Baseline:
• Transparent-like antenna for end-fire radiation which can exploit a thicker
substrate should it be needed.
Solar cell
~0.2mm + extra
Paint Copper 35 μm
layers
FR-4 0.4 mm
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Ham Radio Operators Challenges
• First Person to track Unicorn2 satellite Call
Sign
• Down Load Telemetry/ Image from Unicorn2
• Open Source Graphical User Interface (GUI)
-Alba Orbital web.
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THANK YOU
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