The Buccaneer and Biarri Cubesat Missions

Dr Craig BensonUNSW Canberra

Buccaneer and Biarri missions in conjunction with DST Group

All comments are mine and do not represent DST Group

Cubesats and their ilk

• Cubesats, and other small satellites represent an opportunity for highly capable satellites to be launched with relatively low budgets and on short timelines

• As an outsider, the current cubesat architecture is outdated and wasteful. They could be lighter, more capable, more flexible and faster to launch

Planet Labs

Image: Planet Labs

Planet Labs92 imaging satellites in orbit

Rapid revisit

3-5m resolution imagery

Failures and attrition

Image: Planet Labs

Internet of Things

• Globalstar already offer simplex STX-3 modules for low cost global tracking and monitoring of assets (via large LEO satellites)

ADS-B and AIS tracking

• Monitoring of aircraft and ship beacons is a demonstrated capability with single PC-104 cards in cubesats

Images: GOM Space Images: GOM Space

GNSS Occultations for Ionosphere monitoring

GNSS Reflectrometry for ocean monitoring (esa.int)

Cubesat Launchers

• Traditionally, small-size satellites fly as secondary payloads on major launches– Launcher issues:

• Long lead time for integration• Qualification to minimise risk to main payload• Limited ability to influence orbit

– Not responsive

Rocket Lab

• 150kg to 500km sun-synchronous orbit• $5m/launch = $33k/kg

Image: Rocket Lab

Virgin Galactic

• 747 air launch• LOX/RP-1 2-stage rocket

Image: Virgin Galactic

DARPA SALVO/ALASA

• Twin programs for air launched light satellite to LEO – nominal 100lb for $1m

• ALASA canceled due to propellant instability

DARPA Artist Impression

Innovation• Most innovations will fail• Most companies will fail to make money• But launches will get:

– Cheaper– More flexible– More responsive– Less risk averse

• Responsive and affordable space access fits with modern innovation

• Space is about services to Planet Earth

UNCLASSIFIED

Project Biarri

Namuru GPS

Laser Tracker

Launch:• Risk mitigation: July 2016 October 2016• Main mission: 2017 – 2018

Formation Flying

Project BuccaneerUNCLASSIFIED

Launch:- • Risk Mitigation: January 2017• Main mission: 2018

Calibration measurements for JORN

Australian Involvement in Space

• Components for space assets are a global market, with niche suppliers

• Innovation is about using space to provide services to customers, not only telecoms and TV– Many new ventures will fly satellites, downlink data, and

supply the data to users (Planet Labs)• Australia has a large area where LEO satellites can

contain emissions solely with our territory– Can we offer expedited approval or special radio

downlink capabilities?