HackerPapers

arXiv:1509.03270physics.space-ph

Orbit Determination and Differential-drag Control of Planet Labs Cubesat Constellations

Cyrus Foster, Henry Hallam, James Mason

Abstract

We present methodology and mission results from orbit determination of Planet Labs nanosatellites and differential-drag control of their relative motion. Orbit determination (OD) is required on Planet Labs satellites to accurately predict the positioning of satellites during downlink passes and we present a scalable OD solution for large fleets of small satellites utilizing two-way ranging. In the second part of this paper, we present mission results from relative motion differential-drag control of a constellation of satellites deployed in the same orbit.

arXiv comments
13 pages, 9 figures. Presented at AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference in Vale, CO, August 2015
Journal reference
DOI
Subjects
physics.space-phSpace Physics astro-ph.IMInstrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics

On Hacker News

Linked by 3 identifiable commenters in 3 comments across 3 threads, from Feb 2017 to Mar 2018.

Comments linking this paper, per year.

Discussed in comments3 threads

  1. FCC Accuses Stealthy Startup of Launching Rogue Satellites 1 comment

    • > Doing optical imaging probably isn't feasible for a cubesat Planet Labs' Dove satellites aren't much bigger than a typical cube sat (they're like 3 cube sats stacked together), have reaction wheels, and the "wings" have enough lift to be able to control altitude…

      DiThiView on HNParent context

  2. ISRO PSLV-C37 onboard camera showing 104 satellite separation 1 comment

    • In the case of the Planet satellites, they will be spread out using differential drag over the next few months. https://arxiv.org/pdf/1509.03270.pdf

      sjburtView on HNParent context

  3. ISRO to launch record 104 satellites on Feb 15 1 comment

    • This is exactly what is done to spread the satellites in their orbits. https://support.planet.com/hc/en-us/articles/212641458-How-d... This paper covers diff drag in more detail. https://arxiv.org/abs/1509.03270

      breuView on HNParent context

Submitted to Hacker News

Connected through shared HN threads, not inferred similarity or a recommendation.