Subsystems

• Attitude Determination and Control (AD&C).

The AD&C system determines and controls the angular orientation (or direction of pointing) of the spacecraft. This section discusses the Dawgstar team's choice of active control systems.

• Communications.  

Downlink of telemetry data, uplink of commands from ground control, and crosslinks with other ION-F nanosatellites requires a high degree of communications commonality between ION-F partners.

• Command and Data Handling (C&DH).  

The C&DH system is a combination of software and hardware that manages the subsystems of the UW Dawgstar satellite.

• Formation Flight.  

The ION-F group will fly in formation during the mission lifetime.  This section discusses the characteristics of formation flying and ground track options for the formations.

• Guidance and Navigation (G&N).  

The G&N subsystem determines the position and velocity vectors of the satellite as a function of time. These data can be used to calculate the orbit of a satellite.

• Power. 

The Dawgstar nanosatellite will be powered by a series of solar panels and batteries.  This section discusses solar cell configuration and battery properties.

• Propulsion.  

Micro Pulse Plasma Thrusters, as developed by Primex Aerospace Company, will be used for the Dawgstar propulsion system.  

• Science Payload.  

This section discusses the in situ ionospheric science experiments performed by the USU Plasma Impedance Probe (PIP). 

• Structures.  

The Dawgstar nanosatellite, as the other ION-F partners, will be a hexagonal cylinder.  This section discusses the satellite frame, stress loading tests, and results.

• Thermal Control. 

The nanosatellite thermal subsystem controls and maintains spacecraft component temperatures within their specified limits throughout all mission phases.