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UNH CubeSat

Geomagnetic storms are temporary disturbances of the Earth’s magnetosphere caused by a solar wind shock wave and/or cloud of magnetic field that interacts with the Earth’s magnetic field. These storms can have various implications that include spacecraft surface charging, blocking radio communications and inducing current in electricity lines. The more we can understand and predict these storms the earlier we can prepare spacecraft and electrical grids to avoid being affected. Dr. Amy Keesee is developing an ultra-compact, low-voltage plasma spectrometer that can analyze the flux of ions and electrons in a plasma. The UNH CubeSat team is developing a 3U Cube Satellite that will house Dr. Keesee’s spectrometer with intentions to fly and collect relevant data to bring the instrument’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from a 5 to a 7. This will allow for the instrument to be used on future satellite constellation missions with aspirations to predict space weather. Our CubeSat has stackable subsystems that include the payload, ADCS, power system, communications and command and data handling. The UNH CubeSat has a deployable antenna and solar panels to take advantage of the orbit. The CubeSat’s launch vehicle will be a rocket that allows for the Satellite to achieve a sun synchronous, polar/high-inclination orbit, that we simulated. The next step is to write a proposal to receive funding. Once we receive funding the UNH CubeSat team can begin the building and testing phase with a launch projection of 3 years from now.

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