A systems analysis of CubeSat constellations with distributed sensors

Abstract

This thesis explores the use of CubeSat constellations as "gap fillers" and supplements to traditionally complex, multi-sensored satellites, increasing resiliency of the system at very low cost. In standard satellite acquisitions, satellites can take years and billions of dollars to reach operational status. Should there be delays in schedule or on-orbit failures, gaps in data integral to US operations can be lost. CubeSats present a low cost temporary solution. In this thesis, the weather sensing satellite, JPSS-1, is used as a reference case for a traditional multi-sensored satellite. The sensors from JPSS-1 are paired with state-of-the-art CubeSat sensors of similar functions. These CubeSats are used to make up three different constellation architectures which are examined for the revisit times and coverage they offer. These architectures are based on some of the common methods of launching and implementing a CubeSat constellation, a single mass launch, a series of available launches, and a planned configuration. This analysis shows that in some areas, like radiometry, CubeSat sensors are comparable with operational heritage sensors. In the other cases, like optical imaging and hyperspectral imagers, CubeSats have not yet advanced enough or cannot be advanced much more based on the limitations of their size and power. A practical use of a CubeSat constellation is to supplement and augment a traditional system, increasing the overall redundancy and providing data over larger geographic regions and with lower revisit times for a approximately 4.5% of the cost of a traditional satellite.