Micro-sized Microwave Atmospheric Satellite Cluster (MicroMAS)

Small satellites working in coordinated manner as part of a distributed constellation hold the promise to revolutionize DoD space operations. However, small satellites also have significant inherent limitations. Their size limits the types of sensors that they can accommodate. It also limits propulsion, power generation and attitude control capabilities. One way of overcoming some of these limitations is by developing a coordinated architecture where the resources of multiple smallsats are combined to accomplish the mission objective. Aurora proposes to systematically define how constellations of multifunctional small satellites can replace, enhance or augment existing space based capabilities through the investigation of of mission performance and technology infusion into those platforms. In this proposal, we will develop a systematic quantified methodology for analyzing various constellation architectures with military applications. This will allow us to quantify the benefit that small satellite constellations can provide to the DoD. Furthermore, this same methodology will allow us to identify key technologies whose development will greatly decrease the technical and programmatic risk. This work is based on modeling techniques that we have developed over the years and have applied to a range of missions, an example of which (Techsat 21) is presented in the proposal.