CUBESATS ENABLE A WIDE RANGE OF IMPORTANT LOW-COST SPACE MISSIONS LEVERAGING INCREASING DENSIFICATION OF ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO PERFORM TASKS PREVIOUSLY IN THE REALM OF MUCH LARGER SPACECRAFT. CUBESATS IN SIZES OF 3U-12U ARE A PROMISING PLATFORM FOR FUTURE NASA EXPLORATION AND SCIENCE MISSIONS INCLUDING LUNAR REMOTE SENSING NEO EXPLORATION AND PLANETARY DEFENSE BUT CURRENTLY LACK THE HIGH PROPULSION REQUIRED FOR THESE EXCITING APPLICATIONS. ION THRUSTERS ARE CURRENTLY THE BEST OPTION FOR LOW POWER MN RANGE EP AS REQUIRED FOR HIGH SMALLSAT MISSIONS. THESE THRUSTERS ARE INHERENTLY MORE EFFICIENT THAN OTHER OPTIONS SUCH AS RF OR MICROWAVE AND ARE CAPABLE OF HIGH TOTAL IMPULSE.

University Of California, Los Angeles

Investigators