Rendering of USC’s 3rd satellite tv for pc into area, Dodona. IMAGE/USC SERC.
Ridesharing stays a preferred strategy to get round in Los Angeles, however what about ridesharing to get to area? The SpaceX Smallsat Rideshare program affords a viable and inexpensive choice to launch as much as 200 kg into a solar-sychronous, low Earth orbit. That is why, together with roughly 80-90 different satellites, USC’s Dodona satellite tv for pc—it’s third ever—hitched a experience on SpaceX’s newest mission, Transporter 3 this week.
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Screenshot from January thirteenth SpaceX launch. Transporter 3 is carrying USC satellite tv for pc Dodona. PHOTO/SERC.
Partner Lockheed Martin supported USC college students (graduate and undergraduate) and school to take an internally constructed Cubesat (measuring 30 cms by 10 by 10, known as Dodona) the dimensions of bread field and check Lockheed Martin’s latest payload applied sciences in orbit, together with new software program that enables for fast mission adjustments whereas in orbit. This SmartSat™ expertise is a part of Lockheed Martin’s bigger La Jument program, and Dodona is the primary is a collection of demonstration flights.
Dodona is a mission out of USC’s Space Engineering Research Center, directed by Professor David Barnhart, which is a joint analysis middle from USC Viterbi School of Engineering Department of Astronautical Engineering and the Information Sciences Institute.
Said Tom Smith, vice chairman for Lockheed Martin’s Centers of Excellence that embrace Optical Payloads: “The La Jument integrated payload was designed by Lockheed Martin and then integrated and tested with Dodona by USC students at the Space Engineering Research Center (SERC). The La Jument 3U payload on Dodona will be the first satellite to fully use Lockheed Martin’s SmartSat™ software-defined satellite architecture on its payload. It’s a game changer for space because we can easily update satellites after launch and use advanced AI algorithms in orbit instead of just on the ground.”
Sonia Phares, vice chairman for engineering and expertise at Lockheed Martin Space, added, “The La Jument/Dodona launch is the first of three rapid prototyping missions Lockheed Martin will deliver in 2022. Our dual LINUSS spacecraft will be in GEO orbit by Mid-May, and our dual Pony Express 2 spacecraft will be launch to low earth orbit in October. “
The La Jument payload suite includes low SWAP (size, weight and power) optical and infrared cameras that employ algorithms to enhance imagery in-orbit, plus Lockheed Martin’s Compass advanced mission planning app. The Compass team developed a new Target Selection Visualization tool which makes it much easier to identify a targeted region to photograph. Using a map overlay, users can pick a point on the map within the satellite’s coverage area and the tool translates that into messages relayed back to the USC team commanding the satellite.
Alongside Lockheed’s new technology suite, the SERC team is testing a new “B dot” controller—a brand new steering management algorithm that interacts with the Earths magnetic subject to stabilize the satellite tv for pc in orbit.
SERC launched its first satellite tv for pc, Careus—developed in partnership between USC and Northrop Grumman—in 2010, and its second, Aeneas in 2012. The means of growing and launching a satellite tv for pc requires vigorous design work and testing, together with “shake and bake” testing, which accurately checks how the satellite tv for pc fares when shook and heated to simulate launch. Satellites additionally should adhere to world laws, together with ensuring the group can carry the satellite tv for pc down inside an agreed upon time frame and guaranteeing the satellite tv for pc’s orbit is not going to intrude with different satellites.
![USC Grad student Julia Schatz in the clean room at SERC working on Dodona.](https://16mhpx3atvadrnpip2kwi9or-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/juliaatwork2-e1641928049358-254x300.jpg)
USC graduate scholar Julia Schatz within the clear room at SERC engaged on Dodona. PHOTO/USC SERC.
For Dodona, the group additionally wanted to obtain FCC approval for working its small radio, an off-the-shelf radio made for Cubesats so the satellite tv for pc can each obtain instructions despatched up from the bottom station (situated on USC’s University Park campus) and downlink knowledge on the well being and standing of the satellite tv for pc whereas in orbit. Lockheed Martin will function an identical floor station at its Valley Forge facility in Pennsylvania.
In the next two weeks, the USC-Lockheed Martin group will assess mission success standards, together with the satellite tv for pc’s launch into and stability in orbit and its means to transmit knowledge about what’s taking place on the spacecraft. The mission is targeted on Lockheed Martin’s optical payload, and would be the first satellite tv for pc from USC capable of take images of the Earth from area.
Part of SERC’s mission is creating palms-on alternatives for college kids and school to construct and check superior area expertise, along with integrating, launching and working small satellites. Dodona takes benefit of the area centered curriculum by evaluation instruments and strategies which can be taught at USC by the Astronautical Engineering Department.
SERC’s subsequent small satellite tv for pc mission is Magneto, a totally scholar-constructed class mission it hopes to launch in late 2022, and has a brand new rendezvous expertise deliberate to fly contained in the International Space Station in early 2023.
Published on January thirteenth, 2022
Last up to date on January thirteenth, 2022