Browsing by Author "Laufer, René"

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Lunar Mission BW1: scientific objectives and small satellite concept
(2010) Laufer, René; Röser, Hans-Peter (Prof. Dr. rer. nat.)
Since UoSat-1 (University of Surrey Satellite 1) was launched in 1981 academic small satellites demonstrated successfully universities’ capabilities in space science and engineering. Today it is without any doubt that academic small Earth orbiting satellites can be important educational instruments, useful technology demonstration tools and promising and serious scientific research platforms. Since the very beginning of the space age universities and research institutes participated in lunar and planetary exploration analyzing data, providing instruments or performing further research. But usually such institutions did not design, build and operate their own lunar or planetary spacecrafts. Based on the status in the field of small spacecraft development and the expertise and knowledge of academic institutions as well as the availability of technology to design, build and operate an own probe beyond Earth orbit seems to be a feasible next logical step. The Stuttgart Small Satellite Program was initiated in 2002/03 at the Institute of Space Systems of the Universitaet Stuttgart, Germany. One of its objectives is to provide an attractive academic program with real hands-on experience for participating students. A network of industrial and academic partners supports by offering engineering and scientific expertise and knowledge and providing financial support for PhD scholarships as well as involvement in lectures, workshops and seminars but also provision of hardware and software. The program consists currently of four spacecraft missions but also ground segment facilities and the development of software and simulation tools, methods and data bases. The micro satellite FLYING LAPTOP will perform Earth observation remote sensing experiments and technology demonstration followed by the electric propulsion test-bed PERSEUS which will also perform UV astronomy. Both spacecrafts pave the way for the later complex projects: the atmospheric entry and return mission CERMIT and the small lunar orbiter spacecraft LUNAR MISSION BW1. The goal of the LUNAR MISSION BW1 is to prove that it is possible for a university, a faculty or even an institute to make a significant contribution by its own to space exploration. The contribution should be to create new scientific knowledge or demonstrate innovative technology visible within the community and in the public as well as having an enduring efect in the space arena. The LUNAR MISSION BW1 will be an all-electrical small lunar orbiter of approx. 1 m cube and approx. 200 kg launch mass. Planned to be launched as a piggyback payload into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) in 2012 or later the probe should use solar-electric propulsion systems (thermal arcjet and magneto-plasma-dynamical thrusters) to be transferred to the Moon into a highly inclined circular low lunar orbit of approx. 100 km. The orbiter will perform technology demonstrations, remote sensing and in-situ research experiments for at least 6 months before impacting on the surface of the Moon. During the cruise phase of 18-24 months or more and the operations in lunar orbit solar panels of approx. 6 m2 will generate the necessary electrical power of up to 1 kW supported by Li-Ion batteries for power storage. The satellite will be 3-axis stabilized and using a Ka band communication system and a 1 m primary dish providing broadband data transfer to the own mission control center but also supported by other partners’ ground stations. The progranmatics behind the LUNAR MISSION BW1 based on past and current lunar exploration is described as well as the small satellite concept and the scientific objectives based on the limitations and potentials of an academic environment. A possible scenario of the mission is depicted including the necessary elements of the space and the ground segment. The opportunity but also the necessity for a different approach in project management due to the academic environment is explained concluded by lessons learned. The LUNAR MISSION BW1 demonstrated that virtual exploration is not possible - hence it is not a feasible or useful option as an alternative for building and operating an own exploration mission to provide real experience to students and young professionals and real research data as well as space qualified small satellite technology.