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Guarneros, A.

Publications and source records attributed to Guarneros, A..

Providing Small Satellite Communications Using the NOAA GOES Satellite

The results of a LEO to GEO communication system using the NOAA GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) DCS (Data Collection System) are presented. The DCS system was designed to collect climate-related data from remote unmanned stations. Data are uplinked to one of the two operational satellites via an aggregated link to the NASA Wallops Facility. The modified LEO transmitter, one of the 7 transmitters flown on the TechEdSat-8 nano-satellite, is designed to compensate for the Doppler effects to ensure the communication link. Though a slow data rate initially, the system may offer another convenient means of transmitting data from LEO to ground stations any time during an orbit. The experiment will allow for an assessment of this as a future communication system development path - as well as the very interesting extension of the system for a comparable system at Mars for climatic surveys from ground stations (hence, a Mars radio).

Stone, T.↗

The Exo-Brake as an Inexpensive Means of Achieving Sample Return from Low Earth Orbit – Recent Flight

The Exo-Brake is a simple, non-propulsive means of deorbiting small pay-loads from orbital platforms such as the Inter-national Space Station (ISS). Recent flight experiments involving the TechEdSat (TES) 6, 7, 8 are discussed in terms of both ‘targeted’ and ‘disposal’ de-orbit techniques. These build on the previous flight experiments with fixed surface areas – and now involve improved uplink/downlink communication and GPS for improved targeting and control. The recent targeting experiments are dis-cussed involving the TechEdSat-6,7,8 nanosatellites. The extension of the concept to a 1-stage, 3-stage, and lifting entry sample re-turn system are discussed.

Murbach, Marcus S.↗

The TechEdSat-N Series: A Collaborative Technology Development Platform in the Nano-Satellite Form Factor

The TechEdSat-1 (TES-1) was the first U.S. CubeSat to be deployed from the ISS (International Space Station). This permitted the initiation of a flight series that has recently de-orbited the 6th nano-satellite with subsequent numbers 7-10 under development. The nano-satellites range from 1U (1 unit) to 6U (TechEdSat-8) but have the critical ISS Safety design features standardized in order to focus on the particular experiment objectives. Incremental experimental development has included unique communication subsystems such as command/control of the nanosatellite through email commands -as well as a recent record for Wifi transmission. Also, the thermophysics of controlled drag devices (Exo-Brake) has been developed which will prelude sample return and planetary exploration applications. The successful "rapid incremental experiment" approach has also been incorporated into collaborations with academia, permitting professors/student interns to be exposed to the rigors of space mission hardware design and execution. The TechEdSat-8, a linear 6U configuration, allows for 5 different groups to contribute an "experiment, sensor, or sub-system" through a well-defined common interface. Lastly, the flying laboratory concept is helpful in developing future interplanetary nano-satellite subsystems which will advance exploration goals by allowing rapid demonstration/validation first in LEO (Low Earth Orbit).

Small Payload Quick Return↗