NRL Launches Nano-Satellite Experimental Platforms

By Daniel Parry - Naval Research Laboratory, Office of Public Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNS) -- Two Naval Research Laboratory Naval Center for Space Technology designed and built nano-satellites were launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Dec. 8, as secondary payloads on a Space Exploration (SpaceX) Technologies, Inc., Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

The satellites have been deployed to evaluate nano-satellites as a platform for experimentation and technology development.

Known as the CubeSat Experiment (QbX), the two 3U (30x10x10 cm) CubeSat buses were built by Pumpkin, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., and provided to the NRL by the National Reconnaissance Office's (NRO) Colony Program Office.

This is the first flight of the Pumpkin-built Colony I spacecraft bus and is being used to evaluate the performance of the vehicle as a platform for experimentation.

Engineers from the NRL Spacecraft Engineering department are in the checkout phase of the 3U CubeSats. The NRL developed tracking, telemetry and command (TTC) radio is fully functional, providing reliable two-way data transfers and the flight software ported from previous and ongoing NRL programs to the Pumpkin Colony I processor is providing an on board scheduler for routine vehicle control and operation.

"Currently, the spacecraft are healthy, and experimentation and checkout are continuing," said Dr. Stephen Arnold, NRL Spacecraft Engineering department electronics engineer. "Deployments, including arrays and antennas, were successful and verified shortly after launch."

Spacecraft attitude is controlled by, and operates in, a novel "Space Dart" mode. Due to the low orbit (300km) atmospheric drag provides a stabilization torque that, used with reaction wheels and torque coils, provides stable pointing to within five degrees of Nadir throughout the orbit. The system has been verified on both vehicles and is providing a stable platform for continued experimentation.

"It is expected that the QbX vehicles will remain in orbit for approximately 30 days," said Arnold. "After which, they will succumb to the effects of atmospheric drag and be destroyed during re-entry to Earth's atmosphere."

The primary payload launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 was the Dragon Module. Developed by SpaceX and sponsored by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program, the Dragon Module is an initiative to develop private spacecraft to ferry cargo to and from the International Space Station.

Flight software, antennas, and the TTC radio were built and integrated by the NRL, as was the developmental communications payload. Environmental testing of the completed package was also performed at NRL. Ground stations on the east and west coasts provide coverage for command loads and data collection.

Army nanosatellite on first flight

The U.S. Army logo is prominently positioned on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket the night before launch. The first Army-built satellite in more than 50 years, SMDC-ONE nanosatellite, is onboard the second stage directly behind the Army logo.

By John Cummings, SMDC/ARSTRAT

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The first U.S. Army nanosatellite lifted off of Launch Pad 40 at Cape Canaveral, Fla., today at 10:43 a.m. Eastern. This is the launch of the first U.S. Army-built satellite in more than 50 years. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command is the Army lead for the SMDC-ONE nanosatellite program.

The Space and Missile Defense Command - Operational Nanosatellite Effect, or SMDC-ONE, launched on a Falcon 9 two-stage booster, a Space Exploration Technologies, Inc, or SpaceX, launch vehicle as a secondary payload. The primary payload for this flight is the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The primary objective of this maiden flight is to receive data from a ground transmitter and relay that data to a ground station. The intent of this technology demonstration is to build a number of identical satellites and deploy them together into Low Earth Orbit to simulate enhanced tactical communications capability and evaluate nanosat performance.

Approximately 45 minutes after launch, SMDC-ONE deployed from the Falcon 9 trunk unit located in the second stage of the rocket and was placed into a low earth orbit.

After being dormant for 30 minutes, the nanosatellite deployed its receiver antennas. Even though in a tumbling mode, the satellite contacted the ground station at USASMDC/ARSTRAT on Redstone Arsenal, Ala., and provided "state-of-health" data.

During orbits over the next four days contact with the second ground station in Colorado Springs, Colo., will be made during orbits.

After deployment, it is expected that SMDC-ONE will remain in orbit for approximately 30 days before dropping out of orbit. Because of its small size and weight, SMDC-ONE is expected to be destroyed during reentry in the atmosphere.