Speaker
Description
Keywords:
Thermal Vacuum Testing, Cubesat
Reference: [1] Method for CubeSat Thermal-Vacuum Cycling Test
Specification, Roy Stevenson Soler Chisabas, Geilson Loureiro, Carlos de Oliveira Lino, Daniel Fernando Cantor, 47th International Conference on Environmental Systems ICES-2017-102, 16-20 July
2017, Charleston, South Carolina
Cubesats are cost-efficient, small satellites, often made with off-the-shelf components that are not explicitly developed for space environment. A full characterisation under space environment –from
launch to mission –is a complex and costly task. However, a minimum of preflight testing should be performed, to verify the functionality of the satellite’s key components under vacuum and expected temperatures of operation [1].
Potential tests may address the functionality of electric and electronic components under thermal vacuum, the operation of moving parts (antennas, solar cells, sensors), and the verification of the
thermal management of the item under test.
A common test sequence consists of pre-tests at room temperature in ambient atmosphere, followed
by testing under vacuum at RT, and the verification of the functionality at operational temperatures.
Multiple thermal cycles may be performed. Additionally, a thermal vacuum bakeout for reducing the amount of molecular organic contamination from off-the-shelf components is considered beneficial.
At AAC, the focus is on fast and cost-efficient testing, based on customer provided GSE and standard interfaces. Depending on the respective cubesat, the test programme can be adopted and optimised
for the specific mission needs with limited additional effort.
Though requiring additional time and budget, the testing of a cubesat’s key components under simplified LEO conditions is substantially increasing the chances for the success of the mission.