Small Spacecraft
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Small spacecraft offer many advantages over their larger, monolithic counterparts. They are much less expensive, fit more easily on launch vehicles, and can be spaced far apart to provide time-synced measurements. However, the challenge becomes how to power, navigate, and communicate with these minimalistic spacecraft.
Recent Work
People
- PhD Candidate
- PhD Candidate
Publications
- Hew, Y., & Close, S. (2021). Hypervelocity impact flash expansion geometry under various spacecraft surface electrical conditions. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 150(103792). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2020.103792
- Juarez Madera, D. (2020). Space-and ground-based measurements of radiation belt precipitation : extending the capabilities of cubesats and radars [Doctoral Dissertation, Stanford University]. https://purl.stanford.edu/vg160cx7800
- Goel, A., Krishnamoorthy, S., Swenson, T., West, S., Li, A., Crew, A., Phillips, D., Screve, A., & Close, S. (2018). Design for CubeSat-based dust and radiation studies at Europa. Acta Astronautica, 136, 204-218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.03.016
- Lee, N., & Close, S. (2018). Meteoroid Impact Detection for Exploration of Asteroids: small satellites for asteroid characterization. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 55(1). https://doi.org/10.2514/1.A33928
- Marshall, R. (2014). Effect of self-absorption on attenuation of lightning and transmitter signals in the lower ionosphere. JGR Space Physics, 119(5), 4062-4076. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JA019921
- Frost, C., Agasid, E., Nuttall, A., & Swenson, T. (2014). Small spacecraft technology state of the art. NASA Technical Papers. https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/small_spacecraft_technology_state_of_the_art_2014.pdf
- Lee, N., & Close, S. (2013). Curved pleat folding for smooth wrapping. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 469(2155). https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2013.0152
- Lee, N., Close, S., & Srama, R. (2013). Composition of plasmas formed from debris impacts on spacecraft surfaces. Sixth European Conference on Space Debris. https://conference.sdo.esoc.esa.int/proceedings/sdc6/paper/97