CALL FOR ‘FUTURE CUBESAT MISSIONS
INNOVATOR
INtersatellite liNk fOr graVity and aTmOspheRic science
The INNOVATOR (INtersatellite liNk fOr graVity and ATmOspheRic science) project is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) under the ALCOR programme and aims to test in orbit an innovative payload, a transceiver for InterSatellite Link (ISL-T), to carry out radio science observations in the fields of
– gravity science (determination of planetary masses and gravitational fields)
– atmospheric science (determination of the properties of neutral and ionised atmospheres).
A scientific instrument of this type is not currently available in Europe, and its development and in-orbit experimentation could enable the design and execution of a series of high-profile planetary exploration science missions.
The one-year Innovator mission envisages the launch of two CubeSat 6Us, to be positioned in the same low Earth orbit, with a relative distance that varies depending on the phase of scientific observations, and includes two different phases:
– in the first 6 months, the two CubeSats will fly at relative distances of approximately 30-50km, and the ISL system will be used primarily to make high-altitude atmospheric density/pressure/temperature measurements, which are currently unavailable in Earth’s atmosphere models;
– Subsequently, the satellites will be moved apart gradually, so that the line-of-sight chord between the two satellites will lap the earth’s surface.
In this second phase, the focus will be on radio occultations, at progressively lower altitudes, to observe the Earth’s atmospheric density/pressure/temperature profiles with excellent spatial and temporal continuity.
The two CubeSats will be constantly radio-linked by the ISL-T measurements, which will allow the measurement of gravitational and atmospheric profiles in low Earth orbit, in order to test and validate the performance of the ISL-T itself.
The Alcor programme comprises 20 space missions covering all the main application domains of the space sector (Earth observation, telecommunications, in-orbit servicing, space sustainability, astrophysics and exploration of the universe) and the use of increasingly high-performance satellite constellations.With reference to the typical phases of a space mission, the following is a summary of the planned activities:
Phase A will have to lead to the definition of the mission requirements and the systems essential to conduct it;
Phase B will focus on the preliminary design that will lead to the preliminary definition of the satellite interfaces and the satellite-ground station, the finalisation of the system requirements and the preliminary design of the platform and the necessary technologies;
Phase C will focus on the detailed design of all parts and interfaces and the development of possible development models (DM) for verification tests. It will also include the adaptation of the Ground Station, the identification of launch opportunities and the planning of related operations, including those related to the Mission Control Centre;
Phase D, which will precede the launch of the two Cubesats (Phase E), envisages the production and qualification of the systems, the preparation of test reports, the production of the flight model (PFM) and its qualification test.
Innovator’s applications and spin-offs are manifold: in addition to scientific purposes in the field of planetary exploration for gravity and atmospheric science, this ISL system will benefit all missions requiring formation flight between satellites with very stringent position and relative velocity control requirements, and can be used for future interplanetary missions based on nanosatellites.
The industrial structure responsible for the implementation of the Innovator project is the Temporary Grouping of Companies between:
– DTA s.c.a.r.l., leader, with the partners
– IMT s.r.l,
– Planetek s.r.l.,
– University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’ and
– Bari Polytechnic University.
– Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca Industriale Aerospaziale (CIRI-AERO).
– Thales Alenia Space Italia S.p.A.
Project Manager: Manuela Matarrese, DTA scarl
Scientific Responsible: Prof. Paolo Tortora, University of Bologna, Director of CIRI-AERO
Budget for Phases A and B: 1,054,254.00 Euro
Duration Phases A and B: 2 years
Spazio 2050 – Magazine of Italian Space Agency
