Abstract
This paper studies the requirements for a small constellation of satellites to perform measurements of the magnetic field of the Earth and a payload and boom design for such a mission is discussed. After studying communication, power and mass requirements it is found that it is feasible to develop a 10 x10 x 30 cm3 satellite with a mass of about 2.5,kg, which can fulfill such a mission. We also study the feasibility of controlling a constellation of such small satellites by means of air drag by extracting one or more flaps. It is found that it is indeed possible, but for best performance it is limited to altitudes around 450 to 550,km, depending on the time of launch with regard to the solar sunspot cycle.
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© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
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Thomsen, M., Merayo, J.M.G., Brauer, P., Vennerstrøm, S., Olsen, N., Tøffner-Clausen, L. (2008). Feasibility of a Constellation of Miniature Satellites for Perform ing Measurements of the Magnetic Field of the Earth. In: Sandau, R., Röser, HP., Valenzuela, A. (eds) Small Satellites for Earth Observation. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6943-7_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6943-7_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-6942-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-6943-7
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