Conceptual System Design of 50kg-Class Microsatellite with High Thrust Propulsion System

Abstract

In recent years, nanosatellites and microsatellites have become more than just a technology demonstration tool, but also a tool that can bring about scientific and economic outcomes, mainly in low Earth orbit. On the other hand, the use of microsatellites in interplanetary missions is still limited. There are two main problems in using microsatellites for interplanetary missions. To address the issue of lack of launch opportunities directly to the deep space, we are investigating a microsatellite system that is capable of escaping from Earth orbit, which has relatively frequent launch opportunities such as GTO, into deep space using its own propulsion system. We conducted the conceptual design of a microsatellite for the GEO-X mission, which will perform X-ray imaging of the Earth's magnetosphere from the orbit as far as Lunar Orbit. We designed a 50 kg microsatellite using a 500 N class hybrid kick motor for orbit transfer from GTO, based on previous rideshare launch opportunities. Since suppression of the disturbance torque is important when using such a high thrust propulsion system, a spin-stabilized system is used. A conceptual design was performed taking these considerations into account, and rough feasibility and future issues were extracted.