Uni-flower: A novel proposal for university-built nanosatellites in flower constellation
Conference Paper
Overview
Identity
Additional Document Info
View All
Overview
abstract
The purpose of this paper is to introduce some Flower Constellation applications and to begin an open dialogue on the Uni-Flower proposal: the first University-Built Nanosatellites in Flower Constellation. The basic outline for a novel research project is proposed which makes use of micro- or nanosatellites-builc solely by universities-in a Flower Constellation orbit, which is determined by the mission of the satellites. Specific scenarios are descried in detail, with options left open for input, feedback, and completely new and different mission ideas. The two projects described include constellations orbiting the Earth for atmospheric science data collection and constellations for measurement of the magnetic field dynamics. A final mission-based section describes advanced Flower Constellations for which a scientific application has not been found. For the Uni-Flower concept, possible scientific objectives, orbit design, some details of satellite design, educational possibilities, and university interaction and collaboration prospects (as well as multi-disciplinary aspects) are thoroughly discussed. One should quickly realize that any such research project would be a massive undertaking-especially from the administrative, funding, arid time requirement standpoints-so preliminary concepts on the management of such a research project are also presented.
