RAAF - M1: UNSW Canberra - Royal Australian air force space situational awareness and ISR pathfinder mission

Simon Barraclough*, Doug Griffin, Craig Benson, Andrew Lambert, Igor DImitrijevic, Arvind Ramana, Jai Vennik, Melrose Brown, Sean Tuttle, Benjamin Sheard, Russell Boyce, Paul Wade, Darren May

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

UNSW Canberra Space has undertaken a three-year research and development programme with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to implement and operate two nano-satellite (cubesat) missions. The programme aims to support and enhance ADF capabilities and activities in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), and to support the ADF's ability to develop and operate affordable miniature-satellite-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that can provide a level of space self-reliance and resilience to support ADF operations. Additionally it will underpin UNSW's fundamental SSA research and provide education and training opportunities for ADF, and in particular the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in relation to the development and operation of a nanosatellite. The programme consists of two missions, launched approximately 1 year apart. The first mission, RAAF M1, is scheduled for launch readiness review in Q4 2017, less than a year after the programme Kick Off. Launch is currently schedule for Q1 2018. M1 will be a flight demonstration of several key technologies and operations for the main mission, M2. M1 aims to: · Deliver to the RAAF AIS / ADS-B capability across the globe using COTS AIS and ADS-B systems. · Test, validate and further develop Australian SSA capabilities by providing engineering design and performance data for the design of future passive radar systems to track LEO spacecraft. · Develop and demonstrate software defined radio ISR capability, which is used to support AIS and ADS-B monitoring and recording and GNSS SDR receive capability for passive LEO tracking. · Develop and demonstrate building-block technologies and CONOPS for future ADF space capabilities. · Build ADF expertise in specifying, developing/procuring and operating sovereign space assets. The RAAF M1 spacecraft will be a 3U Cubesat form factor with a nadir facing deployable payload module and two deployable solar arrays. As well as monitoring and recording AIS and ADS-B signals from ships and airplanes, the mission will demonstrate a number of new developments; bespoke mechanical design supporting a large deployable model, a custom UNSW Canberra flight computer, custom deployable antennae and custom software defined radio receivers. The programme demonstrates that a system such as this can be developed under a rapid design and development programme. The paper will provide an overview of the overall programme context, the objectives and the concept of operations of M1 and a status of progress to date of the spacecraft design, manufacture and verification against the rapid timeline.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication68th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2017
Subtitle of host publicationUnlocking Imagination, Fostering Innovation and Strengthening Security
PublisherInternational Astronautical Federation, IAF
Pages5986-5994
Number of pages9
ISBN (Print)9781510855373
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Event68th International Astronautical Congress: Unlocking Imagination, Fostering Innovation and Strengthening Security, IAC 2017 - Adelaide, Australia
Duration: 25 Sept 201729 Sept 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume9
ISSN (Print)0074-1795

Conference

Conference68th International Astronautical Congress: Unlocking Imagination, Fostering Innovation and Strengthening Security, IAC 2017
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityAdelaide
Period25/09/1729/09/17

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