ArgoMoon

ArgoMoon
Operator ASI/NASA
Spacecraft properties
Bus CubeSat 6U
Manufacturer Argotec
Start of mission
Launch date 2019[1]
Rocket SLS Block 1
Launch site Kennedy LC-39B

ArgoMoon is a nanosatellite that will fly on board NASA's Space Launch System during its first mission (Exploration Mission 1) scheduled for 2019. The satellite has the dimensions of a shoe box (12 cm x 24 cm x 36  cm) in CubeSat terms, it is a 6U.

The objective of the ArgoMoon mission is to provide NASA information about the correct launch vehicle operations through photography. At the time the second stage will release the CubeSats, it will not be able to communicate with the ground anymore. Flying ArgoMoon in the EM-1 mission will also be the opportunity to test nanotechnology in the hostile environment of deep space. ArgoMoon will complete its operations using a proprietary software for autonomous navigation.[2][3][4][5]

History

The space capsule Orion MPCV is the EM-1 primary payload. The main focus of the EM 1 mission is demonstrating the SLS operations. Orion will be injected by the SLS in a translunar trajectory and it will orbit around the Moon, testing the capsule operations according to a future manned mission path. The absence of cargo opened the opportunity for several low-mass CubeSats (a class of nanosatellites) to be included in the mission as secondary payloads.

In September 2015 NASA opened an invitation to tender to take part in the mission with the design of 13 nanosatellites (6U, according to the CubeSat standards). Among the proposals evaluated by the Italian Space Agency, the European Space Agency, and finally NASA, the Argotec proposal was one of the selected spacecraft. ArgoMoon will be the only European satellite to participate in the mission.[6][7][8]

Objectives

According to the SLS documents that NASA attached to the call, Argotec engineers noticed the inability of the second stage of the launcher to send telemetry during a CubeSat release phase, which occurs a few hours after the release of the primary payload: the Orion capsule. It was this issue that triggered the proposal of a satellite capable out of performing a proximity flight with the release vehicle to take photographs and providing an inspection to confirm the success of operations.

Before being injected into a heliocentric orbit because of the lunar flyby, ArgoMoon will perform a propulsive maneuver to close in a geocentric orbit. The second part of the mission will last a few months up to the natural decay of the satellite. During these months, the satellite will collect telemetry validating the nanotechnology on board the platform in the hostile environment of deep space. Up to now, CubeSats were mainly targeted to Earth observation missions, where the satellite are naturally shielded from radiation by the Earth magnetic field.

Satellite configuration

ArgoMoon will have a hybrid propulsion system, monopropellant and cold gas thrusters, to provide attitude control (orientation) and orbital maneuvering.[9]

  • Primary propulsion: for orbit maintenance during the proximity flight and for a change of the orbit to avoid the lunar flyby;
  • Secondary propulsion: as actuator for attitude control law, since the satellite is too far from the Earth to use the Earth's magnetic field.

Another peculiarity of ArgoMoon is the use of radiation-resistant components. The absence of the protection provided by the magnetosphere requires the selection of components that have been designed and tested to withstand radiation. In order to provide detailed photographs of the mission, ArgoMoon is equipped with a narrow field of view camera to acquire inspection photography. This optical payload is supported by another one with wide field of view to provide images to the onboard computer where an imaging software process them in order to perform autonomous navigation and target fine pointing.

Project and development

In September 2015 Argotec delivered the ArgoMoon proposal to NASA. The proposal was reviewed and approved by ASI, ESA and then by NASA. The project is coordinated by the Italian Space Agency and the satellite launch is planned for 2019 as a secondary payload of the Exploration Mission 1.[1]

Argotec engineers worked in the definition of the mission objectives and phases, the mission analysis, and the configuration of the satellite. The electrical power subsystem, the on-board computer, and the on-board software are designed and developed by Argotec as well, including the imaging software for target recognition and pointing.

The selection of the components or units vendors has preferred European companies where available.[10][11][12]

See also

The 13 CubeSats flying in the Exploration Mission 1

References

  1. 1 2 Clark, Stephen (28 April 2017). "NASA confirms first flight of Space Launch System will slip to 2019". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  2. ↑ NASA: “NASA's Space Launch System to Boost Science with Secondary Payloads”– 1 February 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  3. ↑ NASA: “International Partners Provide Science Satellites for America’s Space Launch System Maiden Flight”– 26 May 2016. Retrieved 06 April 2017.
  4. ↑ "ArgoMoon: the Italian excellence at one “click” from the Moon” (Press Release). Argotec. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Latest Technology: “International Partners Provide Science Satellites for America’s Space Launch System Maiden Flight”–27 May 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Explore Deep Space: “The final three CubeSats for EM-1 have been announced”–2 June 2016. Retrieved 06 April 2017.
  7. ↑ TechSite: “NASA firms up Space Launch System nanosat manifest”–27 May 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  8. ↑ The Register: “NASA firms up Space Launch System nanosat manifest”–27 May 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  9. ↑ ArgoMoon Propulsion systems. VACCO Propulsion Systems. 2017.
  10. ↑ ASI: “Italian Space Industry. Products – Services – Applications - Technologies”– National Catalogue of the Italian Space Agency Edition 2017. Retrieved 06 April 2017.
  11. ↑ Gunter's Space Page: “ArgoMoon” Retrieved 06 April 2017.
  12. ↑ JAXA : “Outstanding Moon exploration Technologies demonstrated by Nano Semi-Hard Impactor”– 6 January 2017. Retrieved 06 April 2017.
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