Physics in Space programme, Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala (Photon Angular Momentum. Stimulated Electromagnetic Emissions (SEE), Plasma Turbulence and Vorticity)

INSTITUTET FÖR RYMDFYSIK	UPPSALA

Swedish Institute of Space Physics	(59^o50.272'N, 17^o38.786'E)

IRF Research Programme: Physics in Space

RESEARCH WITH SATELLITES

NanoSpace-1 Satellite
Image of NanoSpace satellite

NanoSpace-1 is the first demonstrator nanosatellite, based on a massive implementation of advanced multifunctional Micro/Nano Technology MNT. The primary mission objective is to qualify this new breed of spacecraft together with individual functional microsystem modules or subsystems. The photograph to the right shows the NS1 Structural Test Model in scale 1:1.

MNT based components for space applications are considered high risk elements and it is difficult to find flight opportunities for new innovative designs. Therefore the NanoSpace programme was initiated (funded by the Swedish National Space Board and with a considerable support from ESA). The project is currently aiming for a launch around 2007-2008.

The NanoSpace-1 spacecraft will carry a number of important technology demonstrators. These span from the untraditional structural design - replacing the aluminum with large multifunctional silicon modules, containing most of Image of NanoSpace satellite

the electronics and eliminating the need for electronic boxes - to a selection of micropropulsion experiments, including proportional Cold Gas Micro Thrusters for full three-axis stabilization and high precision formation flying demonstration.

The illustration to the right shows the NS1 spacecraft in flight configuration. The six (6) monopole antennas and the two (2) Langmuir probe booms, required for the scientific payload, have been released and all four (4) solar panels locked in place.

The NanoSpace-1 nanosatellite project is managed by the Ångström Space Technology Center (ÅSTC).
NanoSpace-1 Scientific Instruments
NanoSpace-1 Scientific Instruments (NOSCI) is a set of four instruments for studies of radiation and plasma physical processes in the near earth space environment. NanoSpace-1 is a foremost a technology demonstrator and not a strictly scientific satellite. The primary objective of NOSCI project is to qualify the MNT components that are being used to implement the instruments and to test new measurement methods. Scientific objectives are only secondary. A major part of the project is the miniaturization of the NOSCI electronics. This is achieved by minimizing the use of printed circuit board (PCB) circuitry. The major part of the NOSCI circuits is instead housed in a single silicon multi chip module (MCM), with a form factor of 70×70 mm2. PCB will only be used for secondary subsystems, such as pre-amplifiers. Another important project objective is to qualify the Antennas & Booms (AB) subsystem, which is designed to interfere as little as possible with the spacecraft, while at the same time provide a high-performance sensor subsystem.

The four instruments that make up NOSCI are:

WVX (Wave Vector Receiver), which operates in the range 100 kHz - 15 MHz and utilizes three pair of monopole antennas, mounted at the edges of the spacecraft solar panels, to measure the electromagnetic wave field vector, E;
DP (Density Probe), which measures plasma density, n, in the range DC - 10 kHz by means of a pair of Langmuir probes, mounted on short booms at the edges of the spacecraft solar panels,;
MR (Magnetometer), which is a magnetometer with a miniaturized three-axis sensor measuring the magnetic field pseudo vector, B, in the range DC - 10 kHz. The instrument is an integral part of the density probe for synchronized measurements of n and B, and
FGM (Flux Gate Magnetometer), which is a magnetometer with a flux gate sensor measuring the magnetic field pseudo vector, B, in the range DC - 100 Hz. The sensor is mounted either on a short boom or directly on the spacecraft.

Two additionally important subsystems are

AB (Antennas & Booms), which comprises the six WVX antennas and the two DP booms, and
CAN (Controller Area Network), which is an interface for subsystem communication onboard the spacecraft.

Contact person:

Jan Bergman
Project Manager, NanoSpace-1 Scientific Instruments
e-mail: jb@irfu.se

NanoSpace-1 Links

Project Participants

ÅSTC - Ångström Space Technology Centre,
NanoSpace-1 satellite
IRF - Physics in Space,
Wave Vector Receiver (WVX)
IRF - Space Plasma Physics,
Density probe (DP) and Magnetometer (MR)
KTH - Kungliga Tekniska högskolan,
Flux Gate Magnetometer (FGM)
CBK - Centrum Badan Kosmicznych,
Antennas & Booms (AB)

Project Funding

Last modified: 2007-02-05 at 21:02 by Bo Thidé

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