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COTS 3D Camera for On-orbit Proximity Operations Demonstration

Space exploration and utilization trends demand efficient, reliable and autonomous on-orbit rendezvous and docking processes. Current rendezvous systems use heavy, power intensive scanning radar, or rely on transmitters/beacons from the host spacecraft. A possible alternative to these bulky legacy systems presents itself with the advent of highly efficient 3D cameras. 3D cameras, used as an…

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Cubesat Communications — from traditional communications design to evolved emerging space need

Access to space is becoming a reality to a broader global community of students, scientists, and entrepreneurs. The CubeSat industry is furthering this access to space by standardizing affordable components/subsystem boards. Standards provide for clarity in design, repeatability, and risk reduction. Space to ground communications remains open to many variables, all of which add cost…

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Space Weather and Environment Effects on the Next-Generation Solar Cell Technology Flying on the AeroCube-6 Twin CubeSat Mission

The AeroCube-6 (AC6) mission began operation in a near-circular 624×716 km 98° inclination LEO in June 2014 and consists of two identical 0.5U CubeSats (AC6-A and AC6-B) each carrying multiple experimental payloads. The CubeSats carry instrumentation for obtaining performance data on next-generation multi-junction solar cell technology flying in space for the first time. Each CubeSat’s…

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