Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A novel design of a deployable CubeSat for material exposure missions in low earth orbit

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
CEAS Space Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As an important subject of space technology, material exposure experiments provide data not only for material selection in spacecraft design but also for new materials research and development. It is usually expensive and time-consuming to carry out traditional missions of material exposure experiments on large space vehicles, such as space stations or satellites. Therefore, in this paper, a CubeSat-based platform is proposed to accelerate this type of mission cycle. Within the 3U envelope of CubeSat, a design strategy of a deployable structure is adopted to enlarge exposable surfaces. This strategy enables a reconfigurable architecture to meet the size and volume requirements during the launch stage and increase the areas to be exposed in space by up to 40%. The degradation statuses of the material samples are directly monitored by an optical camera. To ensure sufficient coverage of the visual field, a differential rotation mechanism is designed to drive petaloid double-layer sample trays. Graphic data of samples may be transmitted to the ground in a timely manner at a proper orbital altitude. Thermal and modal analyses for Material Exposure CubeSat (MEC) are also included in this paper. Finally, a 3D-printing prototype is manufactured to examine the feasibility of the differential rotation system and visual coverage of sample trays. Overall, the MEC proposed in this paper exhibits a novel platform to conduct material exposure experiments in space with the advantages of low development cost, short production cycle and portable volume.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gilmore D. G.: Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook, volume 1: Fundamental Technologies. El Segundo, CA (2002). https://doi.org/10.2514/4.989117

  2. Blockley, R., Shyy, W.: Encyclopedia of aerospace engineering. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc (2010). https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470686652

  3. Miller, S.K., Banks, B.A., Waters, D.L.: Investigation into the differences between atomic oxygen erosion yields of materials in ground-based facilities and LEO. High Perform. Polym. 20(4–5), 523–534 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/0954008308089711

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Engelhart, D.P., Cooper, R., Cowardin, H., Maxwell, J., Plis, E., Ferguson, D., Hoffmann, R.: Space weathering experiments on spacecraft materials. J. Astronaut. Sci. 66(2), 210–223 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40295-019-00175-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Leger, L.: Oxygen atom reaction with shuttle materials at orbital altitudes-Data and experiment status. In 21st Aerospace Sciences Meeting (1983). https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1983-73

  6. Smeenk, N.J., Mooney, C., Feenstra, J., Mulder, P., Rohr, T., Semprimoschnig, C.O.A., Schermer, J.J.: Space environmental testing of flexible coverglass alternatives based on siloxanes. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 98(12), 2503–2511 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2013.09.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Tahara, H., Zhang, L., Hiramatsu, M., Yasui, T., Yoshikawa, T., Setsuhara, Y., Miyake, S.: Exposure of space material insulators to energetic ions. J. Appl. Phys. 78(6), 3719–3723 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.359951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Thibeault, S. A., Cooke, S. A., Ashe, M. P., Saucillo, R. J., Murphy, D. G., de Groh, K. K., Nguyen, Q. V.: MISSE-X: an ISS external platform for space environmental studies in the post-shuttle era. In 2011 Aerospace Conference, IEEE (2011). https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2011.5747619

  9. Horneck, G., Klaus, D.M., Mancinelli, R.L.: Space microbiology. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev. 74(1), 121–156 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1128/MMBR.00016-09

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Imai, F., Imagawa, K.: NASDA’s space environment exposure experiment on ISS-first retrieval of SM/MPAC&SEED. Mater Space Environ 540, 589–594 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kinard, W., O’Neal, R., Wilson, B., Jones, J., Levine, A., Calloway, R.: Overview of the space environmental effects observed on the retrieved Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). Adv. Space Res. 14(10), 7–16 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1016/0273-1177(94)90444-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Calle, C.I., Mackey, P.J., Hogue, M.D., Johansen, M.R., Yim, H., Delaune, P.B., Clements, J.S.: Electrodynamic dust shields on the international space station: Exposure to the space environment. J. Electrostat. 71(3), 257–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elstat.2012.10.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Dever, J.A., Miller, S.K., Sechkar, E.A., Wittberg, T.N.: Space environment exposure of polymer films on the materials international space station experiment: Results from MISSE 1 and MISSE 2. High Perform. Polym. 20(4–5), 371–387 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/0954008308089704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Crusan, J., Galica, C.: NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative: Enabling broad access to space. Acta Astronaut. 157, 51–60 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.08.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Alicia Johnstone: CubeSat design specification Rev. 14. The CubeSat Program, Cal Poly SLO (2020).

  16. Shkolnik, E.L.: On the verge of an astronomy CubeSat revolution. Nature Astronomy. 2(5), 374–378 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-018-0438-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ikeya, K., Sakamoto, H., Nakanishi, H., Furuya, H., Tomura, T., Ide, R., Yamazaki, M.: Significance of 3U CubeSat OrigamiSat-1 for space demonstration of multifunctional deployable membrane. Acta Astronaut. 173, 363–377 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.04.016

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Villela, T., Costa, C.A., Brandão, A.M., Bueno, F.T., Leonardi, R.: Towards the thousandth CubeSat: a statistical overview. Int. J. Aerosp. Eng. 2019, 1–13 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/5063145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Selva, D., Krejci, D.: A survey and assessment of the capabilities of Cubesats for Earth observation. Acta Astronaut. 74, 50–68 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2011.12.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Poghosyan, A., Golkar, A.: CubeSat evolution: Analyzing CubeSat capabilities for conducting science missions. Prog. Aerosp. Sci. 88, 59–83 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paerosci.2016.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Hakima, H., Bazzocchi, M.C., Emami, M.R.: A deorbiter CubeSat for active orbital debris removal. Adv. Space Res. 61(9), 2377–2392 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2018.02.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Udrea, B., Nayak, M.: A cooperative multi-satellite mission for controlled active debris removal from low Earth orbit. In 2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference. 2015, 1–15 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2015.7118940

  23. de Groh, K.K., Banks, B.A., McCarthy, C.E: NASA-HDBK-6024. (2014).

  24. Xia, D.H., Song, S., Tao, L., Qin, Z., Wu, Z., Gao, Z., Wang, J., Hu, W., Behnamian, Y., Luo, J.L.: Review-material degradation assessed by digital image processing: Fundamentals, progresses, and challenges. J. Mater. Sci. Technol. 53, 146–162 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2020.04.033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Xia, D.H., Ma, C., Song, S., Jin, W., Behnamian, Y., Fan, H., Wang, J., Gao, Z., Hu, W.: Atmospheric corrosion assessed from corrosion images using fuzzy Kolmogorov-Sinai entropy. Corros. Sci. 120, 251–256 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2017.02.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kimoto, Y., Yukumatsu, K., Goto, A., Miyazaki, E., Tsuchiya, Y.: MDM: a flight mission to observe materials degradation in-situ on satellite in super low Earth orbit. Acta Astronaut. 179, 695–701 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.11.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zimcik, D.G., Maag, C.R.: Results of apparent atomic oxygen reactions with spacecraft materials during shuttle flight STS-41G. J. Spacecr. Rocket. 25(2), 162–168 (1988). https://doi.org/10.2514/3.25965

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhao, X.H., Shen, Z.G., Xing, Y.S., Ma, S.L.: An experimental study of low earth orbit atomic oxygen and ultraviolet radiation effects on a spacecraft material-polytetrafluoroethylene. Polym. Degrad. Stab. 88(2), 275–285 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2004.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gao, X., Hu, M., Fu, Y., Weng, L., Liu, W., Sun, J.: MoS2-Au/Au multilayer lubrication film with better resistance to space environment. J. Alloy. Compd. 815, 152483 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.152483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Sebestyen, G., Fujikawa, S., Galassi, N., Chuchra, A.: Low Earth Orbit Satellite Design. Springer International Publishing (2018). doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68315-7

  31. Solís-Santomé, A., Urriolagoitia-Sosa, G., Romero-Ángeles, B., Torres-San Miguel, C.R., Hernández-Gómez, J.J., Medina-Sánchez, I., Couder-Castañeda, C., Grageda-Arellano, J.I., Urriolagoitia-Calderón, G.: Conceptual design and finite element method validation of a new type of self-locking hinge for deployable CubeSat solar panels. Adv. Mech. Eng. 11(1), 1687814018823116 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814018823116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Rapp, S., Baier, H.: Determination of recovery energy densities of shape memory polymers via closed-loop, force-controlled recovery cycling. Smart Mater. Struct. 19(4), 045018 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1088/0964-1726/19/4/045018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Bhattarai, S., Kim, H., Jung, S.H., Oh, H.U.: Development of pogo pin-based holding and release mechanism for deployable solar panel of CubeSat. Int. J. Aerosp. Eng. 2019, 2580865 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2580865

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Oh, H.U., Lee, M.J.: Development of a non-explosive segmented nut-type holding and release mechanism for cube satellite applications. Trans. Jpn. Soc. Aeronaut. Space Sci. 58(1), 1–6 (2015). https://doi.org/10.2322/tjsass.58.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Muri, P., McNair, J.: A survey of communication sub-systems for intersatellite linked systems and cubesat missions. J. Commun. 7(4), 290–308 (2012). https://doi.org/10.4304/jcm.7.4.290-308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Hasan, M.A., Rashmi, S., Esther, A., Bhavanisankar, P.Y., Sherikar, B.N., Sridhara, N., Dey, A.: Evaluations of silica aerogel-based flexible blanket as passive thermal control element for spacecraft applications. J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 27(3), 1265–1273 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-018-3232-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Kim, H., Cheung, K., Auyeung, R.C., Wilson, D.E., Charipar, K.M., Piqué, A., Charipar, N.A.: VO2-based switchable radiator for spacecraft thermal control. Sci. Rep. 9(1), 1–8 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47572-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Nason I., Puig-Suari J., Twiggs R.: Development of a family of picosatellite deployers based on the CubeSat standard. In Proceedings, IEEE Aerospace Conference. 1, 1-1 (2002). doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/AERO.2002.1036865

  39. Ampatzoglou, A., Kostopoulos, V.: Design, analysis, optimization, manufacturing, and testing of a 2U cubesat. Int. J. Aerosp. Eng. 2018, 1–15 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/9724263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Morettini, G., Zucca, G., Braccesi, C., Cianetti, F., Dionigi, M.: Cubesat spatial expedition: an overview from design to experimental verification. IOP Conf. Ser. Mater. Sci. Eng. 1038(1), 012026 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1038/1/012026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): small satellite deployment interface control document version D. In JEM payload accommodation handbook. 8, 16 (2013).

  42. Almazrouei, A., Khan, A., Almesmari, A., Albuainain, A., Bushlaibi, A., Al Mahmood, A., Alqaraan, A., Alhammadi, A., AlBalooshi, A., Khater, A., Alharam, A.: A complete mission concept design and analysis of the student-Led CubeSat Project: Light-1. Aerospace 8(9), 247 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace8090247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Wijker J.: Miles’ equation in random vibrations: theory and applications in spacecraft structures design. Spring Nature (2018).

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the foundation from the China Manned Space Engineering Program and the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 42171445.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China

    Liping Xiao, Wubin Shi, Xiaoyu Li, Chengcheng Shen, Yi Wang & Haifeng Zhao

  2. Key Laboratory of Space Utilization, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100094, Beijing, China

    Liping Xiao, Wubin Shi, Xiaoyu Li, Chengcheng Shen, Yi Wang, Ruinan Mu, Fei Zhang, Haifeng Zhao & Ke Wang

Authors
  1. Liping Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wubin Shi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Xiaoyu Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chengcheng Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yi Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Ruinan Mu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Fei Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Haifeng Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Ke Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Haifeng Zhao or Ke Wang.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest or competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Xiao, L., Shi, W., Li, X. et al. A novel design of a deployable CubeSat for material exposure missions in low earth orbit. CEAS Space J 15, 641–653 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-022-00470-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-022-00470-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation