UNIT 1 – MODULE 2: Satellites *

MANUFACTURING Several primary components must be manufactured in order to have a working satellite: – Satellite – Sensor(s) – GPS Unit – Rocket Credit: SS/L *

SATELLITE MANUFACTURING Very expensive. Requires hundreds of workers with a variety of technical skills to complete. Manufactured in controlled environments called clean-rooms. Credit: SS/L

CLEAN ROOMS Controlled environments that are very clean. Regulate/control several characteristics: – Dust – Airborne Microbes – Aerosol Particles – Chemical Vapors Use lots of energy. Credit: Jon Snyder/Wired.com

SATELLITE TESTING Once a satellite is manufactured, it must undergo extensive testing (e.g. thermal, vacuum) to ensure it will properly function in the space environment. Once all systems are checked, the satellite can then be integrated into a launch vehicle. Credit: U.S. Air Force

LAUNCH VEHICLE Need to transport satellites to space. Satellite size, weight and orbital destination are some of the things that determine what kind of rocket should be used. Credit: SpaceX

LAUNCH OPTIONS Credit: NASA

SENSORS Devices that detect phenomena. Used every day throughout society. Generate useful information. Can be very expensive. Many different types: – Light – Image – Pressure – Distance – Radiation – Vibration – Chemical – Temperature Credit: Wikipedia Credit: GoogleCredit:

SENSOR SELECTION End-user requirements (i.e. what type of data you want to acquire) determine what kind of sensor(s) should be utilized. Also influences orbit selection. Credit: AGI

ORBIT SELECTION End-user requirements also determine orbit selection. Several different orbits: – Low Earth Orbit (LEO) – Geostationary Orbit (GEO) – Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) – High Earth Orbit (HEO) – Sun-Synchronous Orbit – Geosynchronous Orbit – Polar Orbit Advantages & disadvantages to each. Credit: Credit: ESA

LAUNCH SITE There are many different locations for launching a rocket into space. Some locations chosen because they require less energy to get to a particular orbit. Others chosen by cost & services offered. Credit: Reuters

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MISSION CONTROL Where launch and/or technical services are located. Several activities take place: – Monitoring & Tracking – Communications – Data Acquisition & Processing Credit: NASA-JPL/Caltech Credit: SpaceX

SMALL SATELLITES Fast-growing industry. Commonly referred to as CubeSats. NASA recently deployed several from the ISS. Some applications: – Astronomy – Earth Observation – Education & Research Credit: NASA Credit: Interorbital Systems

SPACE DEBRIS There are nearly 30,000 objects (4 inches or larger) orbiting Earth. Less than 10% are working satellites. Threatens the ISS and existing/future satellites. Credit: ESA *