Asteroid Science in a CubeSat: A Milligravity Centrifuge and Meteor Monitor
When
Where
Dr. Erik Asphaug - Professor
and
Dr. Jekan Thanga - Assistant Professor
Arizona State University
We describe the scientific rationales, engineering requirements, and status of two student-led CubeSat projects being developed at ASU. AOSAT will be the first whole-spacecraft centrifuge, creating asteroid-like accelerations in a 3U laboratory rotating at ~1rpm, to study regolith mechanics under artificial gravitation. SWIMsat is a mission concept to continuously monitor for meter-size bolides that strike the Earth. The key words for both projects are 'low cost' and 'student led', so we describe some of the trials and tribulations and some of our lessons learned. Last but not least we describe SunCube, our design standard for a 3x3x3cm spacecraft intended to open up access to space to hobbyists and small schools.