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Broadband Satellite Service Architectures – Broadband that Moves to Where the Fight Is and Where the Fight Will Go

The current view of warfighter satellite communication is based on individual, independent mission-specific systems supporting operations within a particular area of interest. Today’s satellite communication systems support mission specific needs, such as Blue Force Tracking, Brigade Combat Team headquarters, Airborne ISR, etc. Each of these individual systems typically operates within the same area of interest…

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Influence of Orbital Debris on Space Architecture Efficacy

This study examines how orbital debris may affect the efficacy of space architectures over the next decade. Parametrical modeling in two dimensions is performed to examine sensitivities related to space architectures under the influence of the growing space debris hazard. The two dimensions include (1) three debris environment scenarios and (2) three low Earth orbit…

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MicroCathode-Cold Gas Hybrid Propulsion System – BRICSat-T

The United States Naval Academy’s Autonomous On-Orbit Diagnostic System (AMODS) offers a low-cost solution to maintain, and diagnose or repair satellites that are currently on-orbit. The program utilizes a fleet of 3U Cube satellites: one BRICSat-T, or “tug” and up to six repair, or RSat units. BRICSat-T provides the sole propulsive support to move RSat…

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Smallsat Ground Systems, a C2 to RF Integrated Approach

The growth of the small sat industry has been driven by design and manufacturing advances that have reduced satellite size, production costs and time and launch costs.  The same transformation has to occur in the ground segment.  Like large, traditional satellites, small satellites require command and control software, data processing, networking and RF signal processing. What they…

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The CubeSat Paradigm: An Evolutionary Approach to Satellite Design

Traditional satellite development programs involve extensive careful engineering analyses, modeling, testing, and mission assurance processes. Development programs can span many years; in some cases more than a decade can elapse between program initiation and first launch.  In contrast, agile space programs, and particularly CubeSats, reduce the development effort to levels that allow program durations measured in…

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