Nanosatellite Sensor Suite

A full 6 Degree of Freedom (D0F) control system for Nanosatellites would expand the functionality and potential uses of these small vehicles. This same technology can be used in the controlled deployment of targets and countermeasures for the MDA programs. The key component in a Nanosatellite 6 DOF control system is an earth referenced 6 DOF sensor suite. This allows long term, accurate pointing in addition to short-term high-speed maneuver sensing capability. Systems & Processes Engineering Corporation (SPEC) proposes to demonstrate an earth referenced 6 DOF sensor suite, combining their existing miniature 6 DOF high-speed data acquisition sensor system with a sensor concept developed for use on station keeping Satellite countermeasures. The result is a 3.75 cubic inch, low power dissipation, suite of sensors capable of short term, high speed lock down, inertial space positioning accuracy within 1 meter, and long term, zero drift, angular orientation to .3 degrees. The package uses MEMS accelerometers and a digital compass combined with GPS and uncooled 4Ĉ earth horizon sensing.