Kansas University Technology Evaluation Satellite program

The Kansas University Technology Evaluation Satellite (KUTESat) program consists of two pico-class satellite missions in low Earth orbit (LEO) and an engineering prototype mission using an aircraft to simulate a weightless environment. The program is run and led by students in the Aerospace and Electrical Engineering Departments at The University of Kansas. The ultimate objective of the KUTESat program is to develop and demonstrate small pico-class satellites that could fulfill objectives of various future space missions. To successfully meet this objective, three phases have been outlined and are laid-out in this paper. The first phase is named Pathfinder, which involves a pico-class satellite being launched into LEO in late 2004 to successfully demonstrate design, manufacturing, and communications. The second phase is an engineering prototype that will evaluate a miniature maneuvering control system (MMCS) in a weightless environment. This third phase is called MIST (Mission for Imager spacecraft, Space environment spacecraft, and Target/relay spacecraft). There will be three different satellites built during this phase, each with different capabilities. The first one, Inspection Sensor Satellite (ISS) will perform imaging inspection of a target. This satellite will have full translational and rotational maneuvering capability that will enable it to fly around the target satellite and point the imaging sensor at it. The second autonomous satellite, Space Environment Satellite (SES), will contain space environment sensors, such as dosimeters and micro-meteorite detectors. It will have translational maneuvering capability and the ability to hold attitude for the translational maneuvers. The third satellite provides two purposes - as a target for the ISS and as a relay satellite for both the ISS and the SES to communicate with the ground. It will have a transceiver that is capable of communicating with the companion satellites and also with the ground. The KUTESat program allows for an affordable solution to space access in a relatively short period of time, while achieving a design, build, and fly philosophy for university programs.