Topaz II Nuclear Powered SAR Satellite
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Authors
Feuerstein, M.
Agrawal, B.N.
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
1994
Date
September 27-29, 1994
Publisher
Language
Abstract
The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modulcs provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk. The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modulcs provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk. The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modulcs provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk. The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modules provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk. The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modulcs provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk. The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate
School. Thc design team integrated a Topaz If nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to
design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high
resolution, electronically stecrable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation,
occauography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modulcs provide
global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy
nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requircmcnts. The design emphasized use of
qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoquc alumiiium
structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control
system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and
composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satcllitc
control and data processing and distribution facilitics and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and
tcchnical risk.
Type
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.1994-4688
Series/Report No
Department
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
AIAA 94-4688, AIAA Space Programs and Technologies Conference, September 27-29, 1994, Huntsville, AL.
Distribution Statement
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined
in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the
public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States
Code, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.