624 research outputs found

    Modular impulsive green monopropellant propulsion system (Mimps-g): For cubesats in leo and to the moon

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    Green propellants are currently considered as enabling technology that is revolutionizing the development of high-performance space propulsion, especially for small-sized spacecraft. Modern space missions, either in LEO or interplanetary, require relatively high-thrust and impulsive capabilities to provide better control on the spacecraft, and to overcome the growing challenges, particularly related to overcrowded LEOs, and to modern space application orbital maneuver requirements. Green monopropellants are gaining momentum in the design and development of small and modular liquid propulsion systems, especially for CubeSats, due to their favorable thermophysical properties and relatively high performance when compared to gaseous propellants, and perhaps simpler management when compared to bipropellants. Accordingly, a novel high-thrust modular impulsive green monopropellant propulsion system with a micro electric pump feed cycle is proposed. MIMPS-G500mN is designed to be capable of delivering 0.5 N thrust and offers theoretical total impulse ITot from 850 to 1350 N s per 1U and &gt;3000 N s per 2U depending on the burnt monopropellant, which makes it a candidate for various LEO satellites as well as future Moon missions. Green monopropellant ASCENT (formerly AF-M315E), as well as HAN and ADN-based alternatives (i.e., HNP225 and LMP-103S) were proposed in the preliminary design and system analysis. The article will present state-of-the-art green monopropellants in the (EIL) Energetic Ionic Liquid class and a trade-off study for proposed propellants. System analysis and design of MIMPS-G500mN will be discussed in detail, and the article will conclude with a market survey on small satellites green monopropellant propulsion systems and commercial off-the-shelf thrusters.</p

    The Radiation Environment and effects analysis of the LUMIO Mission

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    The Earth-Moon system is constantly bombarded by meteoroids of different size and impact speed. Observation of the impacts on the Moon can enable thorough characterization of the Lunar meteoroid flux, which is similar to that of the Earth. While Earth-based Lunar observations are restricted by weather, geometric and illumination conditions, a Lunar-based observation campaign can improve the detection rate and, when observing the Lunar far side, complement in both space and time the observations taken from Earth. The Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer (LUMIO), one of the two winning concepts of the ESA SysNova Lunar CubeSats for Exploration challenge, is a mission designed to observe, quantify, and characterize the micro-meteoroid impacts on the Lunar far side. It is based on a 12U CubeSat that carries the LUMIO-Cam, a custom-designed optical instrument capable of detecting light flashes in the visible spectrum. The spacecraft is placed on a halo orbit about the Earth–Moon L2 point, where permanent full-disk observation of the Lunar far side can be performed with excellent quality, given the absence of Earth background noise. After passing Phase 0 and an independent feasibility study in the ESA Concurrent Design Facility, the mission has successfully completed its Phase A in March 2021. Although the Phase 0 design of the LUMIO spacecraft was assessed as feasible by the ESA CDF study, a number of critical issues were identified, which have been tackled by the Phase A design. The paper presents the outcome of this Phase A design effort for the LUMIO spacecraft. Particularly relevant changes or updates in the spacecraft design include: a consolidated design of the LUMIO-Cam, with longer baffle for straylight protection; a set of ADCS sensors and actuators with increased redundancy; a combination of Direct-to-Earth communication and inter-satellite link with a mothership in Lunar orbit; use of Earth ranging to complement and validate the current innovative autonomous navigation strategy based on optical observations of the Moon by means of the LUMIO-Cam; re-assessment of the COTS components selection for the power and propulsion systems.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Space Systems Egineerin

    Selection of the Propulsion System for the LUMIO Mission: an Intricate Trade-Off Between Cost, Reliability and Performance

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    The Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer (LUMIO), one of the two winning concepts of the SysNova Lunar CubeSats for Exploration call by ESA, is a mission designed to observe, quantify, and characterize the meteoroid impacts on the Lunar far side by detecting the flashes generated by the impact. While Earth-based Lunar observations are restricted by weather, geometric and illumination conditions, a Lunar-based observation campaign can improve the detection rate and, when observing the Lunar far side, complement in both space and time the observations taken from Earth. The mission, which has successfully completed its Phase A in March 2021, is based on a 12U CubeSat that carries the LUMIO-Cam, a custom-designed optical instrument capable of detecting light flashes in the visible spectrum. The spacecraft is placed on a halo orbit about the Earth–Moon L2 point, where permanent full-disk observation of the Lunar far side can be performed with excellent quality, given the absence of background noise due to the Earth. The propulsion system is one of the most crucial design choices for the LUMIO spacecraft. It accomplishes various functions: orbital transfer from the initial Lunar orbit to the final halo orbit around L2, station keeping, reaction wheel desaturation, end of life disposal manoeuvres. The total required Delta-V budget for orbital transfer and station keeping is 201.8 m/s, plus an additional total impulse for reaction control tasks ranging from 110 Ns to 170 Ns, depending on the type of reaction control system that is selected. This paper presents a detailed summary of the phase A selection and design of the LUMIO propulsion system, based on the full list of requirements generated by the mission analysis. The main challenges of this process and the way they have been tackled are presented and discussed, including: use of two separate systems as opposed to an integrate one for main propulsion and reaction control tasks; availability of sufficiently reliable European propulsion options, to reduce the general mission costs; feasibility of replacing a chemical/cold gas system with electric propulsion; possible need for custom changes to the design of the selected COTS option (e.g. due to tank sizing).Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Space Systems Egineerin

    Dialogues on Architecture

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    Dialogues on Architecture is a series of dialogues between researchers and practitioners, who are embracing the intellectual model of high technology and are involved in its advancement and application in architecture. Dialogue #4 focuses on the technology transfer between on-and off-Earth research and its impact on society, and in particular on industry and education. The dialogue takes place between Henriette Bier (HB), Paul Chan (PC), Advenit Makaya (AM), and Angelo Cervone (AC).History, Form & AestheticsDesign & Construction ManagementSpace Systems Egineerin

    Designing the Radio Link for a Lunar CubeSat: the LUMIO Case

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    The Lunar Meteoroid Impact Observer (LUMIO) is a mission designed to observe, quantify, and characterize the meteoroid impacts by detecting their flashes on the lunar far side. Earth-based lunar observations are restricted by weather, geometric and illumination conditions, while a lunar orbiter can improve the detection rate of lunar meteoroid impact flashes, as it would allow for longer monitoring periods. This paper will focus on the communications and radio navigation system of the mission, designed for the ESA roadmap for lunar exploration. LUMIO has been designed to operate autonomously after deployment from a lunar mother spacecraft in a low inclination lunar orbit and to reach without human intervention his final destination orbit close to the Earth-Moon L2 point, where science can be carried out. Being the destination orbit always in view from Earth (despite a distance of 460000 - 480000 km), Direct-to-Earth communication was added to the mission as a mean to reduce risk and allow independent verification of several of the innovative technologies that would be demonstrated, first of all autonomous navigation. A detailed link budget analysis will be presented for all mission phases for both the link with the mother spacecraft in low lunar orbit and the link with Earth. Beside defining the achievable data transfer, we will focus also on evaluating the available ground stations to better evaluate mission cost with respect to science return. Radio-navigation performances will also be evaluated to estimate the position and relative velocity accuracy, given also the limited performances available for the on-board navigation transponder. This will help also better defining the on-board autonomous navigation system, constraining the total error budget. Further strategies, such as beacon tones, will be evaluated to lower the overall operational cost by employing continuous monitoring with a low performances ground station and, only when needed, perform high speed downlink using a deep-space class ground station. This strategy is considered of extreme importance, especially for small missions, to allow opportunistic operations on high gain antennas, given their very busy schedule. Keywords: LUMIO, CubeSat, Lunar, Radio, linkGreen Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Space Systems Egineerin

    MODULAR IMPULSIVE GREEN MONOPROPELLANT PROPULSION SYSTEM (MIMPS-G): SYSTEM ANALYSIS AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN

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    Propulsion systems for small-sized spacecraft are trending toward miniaturization and system modularity. Moreover, green propulsion is becoming the norm in space propulsion, particularly in CubeSats, due to the high performance and favorable physi cal properties of green propellants, as well as the global efforts toward greener environment. These were the driving forces behind designing a green monopropellant propulsion system to fill various gaps and overcome different challenges in small satellites industry that are represented mainly in the need for modularity, miniaturization, and devel opment of high-performance green space propul sion. MIMPS-G500mN is a candidate high-thrust impulsive propulsion system that is designed to be capable of delivering 0.5 N thrust and offers theo retical total impulse Itot from 850 to 1350 N s per 1U and &gt;3000 N s per 2U depending on the burnt monopropellant. Green monopropellant ASCENT (formerly AF-M315E) as well as HAN and ADN based alternatives (i.e., HNP225 and LMP-103S) were proposed in the preliminary design and system analysis

    Numerical Algorithms for Divergence-Free Velocity Applications

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    This work focuses on the well-known issue of mass conservation in the context of the finite element technique for computational fluid dynamic simulations. Specifically, non-conventional finite element families for solving Navier–Stokes equations are investigated to address the mathematical constraint of incompressible flows. Raviart–Thomas finite elements are employed for the achievement of a discrete free-divergence velocity. In particular, the proposed algorithm projects the velocity field into the discrete free-divergence space by using the lowest-order Raviart–Thomas element. This decomposition is applied in the context of the projection method, a numerical algorithm employed for solving Navier–Stokes equations. Numerical examples validate the approach’s effectiveness, considering different types of computational grids. Additionally, the presented paper considers an interface advection problem using marker approximation in the context of multiphase flow simulations. Numerical tests, equipped with an analytical velocity field for the surface advection, are presented to compare exact and non-exact divergence-free velocity interpolation

    Nasal capillariosis due to Eucoleus boehmi in two naturally infected dogs [Deux cas de capillariose nasale à Eucoleus boehmi]

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    Herein, we examined two dogs from central Italy with chronic severe upper respiratory signs associated with Eucoleus boehmi eggs shedding at coproscopy. In the first one, improvement in clinical signs was observed after fenbendazole administration, but complete negativity at coprological analysis was gained only after treatment with milbemycin oxyme by mouth. The second one failed to respond to two monthly administrations of a spot-on formulation with imidacloprid/moxidectin, and improvement in clinical signs and negativity at coproscopy were gained only after administration of milbemycin oxyme by mouth. Results here obtained underline the importance to perform further studies to evaluate epidemiological and clinical behavior of this neglected nematode
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