Initial conditions of a novel CubeSat during atmospheric re-entry

Maria N. Kardassi*, Julie Graham, Sai A. Peddakotla, Ciarán Jenkins, Andrew R. Wilson, Massimiliano Vasile

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Despite the establishment of Design for Demise (D4D) as a debris mitigation process, little is still known about the conditions under which debris fragment or survive during re-entry. STRATHcube, a student-led CubeSat project for Space Situational Awareness developed at the University of Strathclyde, aims to contribute to the development of D4D through its secondary payload, providing data on the aerothermal conditions and forces experienced by the satellite during fragmentation upon atmospheric re-entry. The experiment is underpinned by the satellite's stability during re-entry and until fragmentation, which will allow for data to be transmitted in real time. This paper focusses on the configuration of the solar arrays of the CubeSat and on its angle of attack during reentry. Their effect on the operating conditions of the components necessary for recording and transmitting data is explored through a low fidelity model constructed within ESA's Debris Risk Assessment and Mitigation Analysis (DRAMA) tool. It is observed that the main driver of fragmentation conditions is the wetted area of the satellite, which is a function of the re-entry attitude adopted by the CubeSat. This analysis advises the requirements of the deorbiting manoeuvre of the CubeSat at the end of nominal operations, and informs component revisions based on exceedance of the minimum possible re-entry temperature.

Original languageEnglish
JournalProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume2022-September
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2022
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Astronautical Congress 2022 - Paris, France
Duration: 18 Sept 202222 Sept 2022
https://iac2022.org/ (Link to conference website)

Keywords

  • atmospheric re-entry
  • CubeSat
  • DRAMA
  • re-entry analysis
  • STRATHcube mission

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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