Reference: ECSS-M-ST-10C (Project Planning), ECSS-E-ST-10C (System Engineering), CubeSat Design Specification Rev. 14
ID
Objective
Success Metric
Priority
MO-1
Demonstrate modular CubeSat platform (1U-6U)
Platform operates nominally for > 6 months
Essential
MO-2
Earth observation with multispectral imaging
>= 10 images at 30m GSD downlinked
Essential
MO-3
Radiation environment monitoring (LEO)
Continuous dose rate data for > 3 months
Essential
MO-4
IoT message relay demonstration
>= 100 messages relayed
Desired
MO-5
Technology validation for ADCS subsystem
3-axis stabilization to < 1 deg accuracy
Essential
MO-6
Technology validation for EPS subsystem
MPPT efficiency > 90%, autonomous power management
Essential
1.2 Mission Success Criteria
Level
Definition
Criteria
Minimum Success
Basic platform operation
Beacon received, TM downlinked, ADCS detumbled (MO-1 partial)
Partial Success
Primary payload operates
At least 1 image + 1 month radiation data (MO-2, MO-3 partial)
Full Success
All primary objectives met
MO-1 through MO-6 fully achieved over 12 months
Extended Success
Beyond design life
Operations continue past 24 months
2. Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
2.1 Mission-to-System Requirements
Mission Req.
System Requirement
Subsystem
Verification
Status
MO-1
SYS-01: Operate for >= 2 years in LEO
All
A/T
Open
MO-1
SYS-02: Mass < 4.0 kg (3U)
Structure
I
Open
MO-1
SYS-03: Fit in standard 3U deployer
Structure
I
Open
MO-2
SYS-04: GSD <= 30 m at nadir
Camera
A/T
Open
MO-2
SYS-05: >= 10 images downlinked in 6 months
COMM, Camera
T
Open
MO-2
SYS-06: Pointing accuracy < 1 deg (3-axis)
ADCS
T
Open
MO-3
SYS-07: Radiation dose measurement 0.01-100 mGy/day
Payload
T
Open
MO-3
SYS-08: Radiation data stored onboard >= 30 days
OBC
A/T
Open
MO-4
SYS-09: Relay LoRa messages within footprint
Payload
T
Open
MO-5
SYS-10: Detumble from 10 deg/s to < 0.5 deg/s in 3 orbits
ADCS
A/T
Open
MO-5
SYS-11: 3-axis pointing with RW, < 1 deg accuracy
ADCS
A/T
Open
MO-6
SYS-12: Positive energy balance in nominal mode
EPS
A
Open
MO-6
SYS-13: Autonomous safe mode on low power
EPS, OBC
T
Open
2.2 System-to-Subsystem Requirements
System Req.
Subsystem Req.
Allocated To
Spec Value
SYS-04
CAM-01: Focal length >= 50 mm
Camera
f = 50 mm
SYS-04
CAM-02: Sensor >= 5 MP
Camera
OV5647, 2592x1944
SYS-04
ADCS-01: Pointing knowledge < 0.5 deg
ADCS
Sun sensor + magnetometer
SYS-05
COMM-01: S-band downlink >= 256 kbps
COMM
QPSK, LDPC r=1/2
SYS-05
COMM-02: >= 4 usable GS passes/day
COMM
Tashkent, 10 deg min el.
SYS-06
ADCS-02: Reaction wheels >= 1 mNm torque
ADCS
3x CubeWheel
SYS-10
ADCS-03: Magnetorquer dipole >= 0.2 Am^2
ADCS
Air-core rods
SYS-12
EPS-01: Solar generation >= 5 W (orbit avg, EOL)
EPS
GaAs + deployable
SYS-12
EPS-02: Battery capacity >= 25 Wh usable (EOL)
EPS
4S1P NCR18650B
SYS-13
OBC-01: Safe mode entry < 10 seconds
OBC
Autonomous watchdog
3. Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
Day Phase Key Activities
----- --------- --------------------------------
0 LAUNCH Separation from deployer
0 LEOP Antenna deployment (30 min timer)
Kill switch release
First beacon TX
0-1 DETUMBLE B-dot detumbling (magnetorquers)
First GS pass, telemetry reception
1-3 COMMISSIONING-1 Subsystem checkout (EPS, OBC, COMM)
GNSS first fix
Solar panel deployment
3-7 COMMISSIONING-2 ADCS calibration (mag + sun sensors)
Camera first light
S-band link verification
7-14 EARLY OPS First science images
Radiation sensor activation
IoT payload commissioning
14+ NOMINAL OPS Routine science operations
Weekly imaging campaigns
Continuous radiation monitoring
12 mo MID-LIFE REVIEW Performance assessment
Orbit maintenance decision
24 mo END OF LIFE Passivation (battery discharge)
Transponder off
Natural deorbit begins
3.2 Nominal Operations Concept
Per-Orbit Activity Timeline (95.7 min orbit):
Time(min) Activity Power Mode Notes
-------- --------- ---------- -----
0:00 Eclipse entry ECLIPSE_STANDBY Heater active if needed
0:00 Radiation monitoring NOMINAL Continuous background
15:00 GNSS fix attempt NOMINAL Update orbit state
33:30 Eclipse exit NOMINAL Solar charging resumes
40:00 ADCS pointing (if scheduled) SCIENCE Point at target
42:00 Image capture SCIENCE 3 sec exposure
43:00 ADCS return to nadir NOMINAL Default orientation
50:00 GS pass (if visible) COMM UHF TM + S-band data
58:00 GS pass ends NOMINAL Resume standby
62:00 Housekeeping TM store NOMINAL Log to SD card
95:42 Orbit complete -- Next orbit begins
3.3 Ground Segment Operations
Activity
Frequency
Duration
Personnel
Automated beacon monitoring
Continuous
-
0 (automated)
Scheduled TM downlink pass
4-6 per day
8-12 min each
1 operator
Command uplink session
1-2 per day
5 min
1 operator + 1 reviewer
Science planning
Weekly
2 hours
1 scientist + 1 operator
Orbit determination update
Daily
30 min
Automated (GNSS)
Anomaly response
As needed
Variable
2+ personnel
4. Orbit Selection Rationale
Parameter
Value
Rationale
Type
Sun-Synchronous (SSO)
Consistent lighting for imaging, thermal stability
Altitude
550 km
Balance: 30m GSD achievable, 7-22 year deorbit
Inclination
97.59 deg
SSO requirement for 550 km
LTAN
10:30
Morning crossing: low cloud cover, good illumination angle
Expected Lifetime
2 years (nominal), 5+ years (possible)
Atmospheric drag at 550 km
Orbital Period
95.7 min
~15 orbits/day
Altitude
GSD
Deorbit (yr)
Eclipse (min)
Link Margin
Selected
400 km
23 m
2-5
36
+16 dB UHF
No (short life)
500 km
29 m
5-12
35
+14 dB UHF
No (marginal GSD)
550 km
32 m
7-22
34
+14 dB UHF
Yes
600 km
35 m
12-30
33
+13 dB UHF
No (exceeds 25yr)
700 km
40 m
50+
31
+12 dB UHF
No (debris risk)
ID
Risk
Likelihood
Impact
Risk Level
Mitigation
R-01
ADCS fails to detumble
Low
High
Medium
B-dot algorithm tested in HITL; magnetorquers oversized 10x
R-02
Battery degradation exceeds model
Medium
High
High
Conservative DoD (15%), redundant cell monitoring, heater
R-03
S-band link margin insufficient
Low
Medium
Low
Upgraded to 2.4m dish GS antenna; LDPC coding; fallback to UHF only
R-04
Camera optics misalignment (vibration)
Medium
Medium
Medium
Epoxy-bonded lens; vibration test at qualification level
R-05
Solar panel deployment failure
Low
Critical
Medium
Redundant burn wires; spring-loaded hinges; ground test >10 cycles
R-06
Software crash / watchdog loop
Medium
Medium
Medium
Watchdog timer; safe mode fallback; flight-proven RTOS patterns
R-07
Radiation-induced SEU (single event upset)
Medium
Low
Low
EDAC on memory; TMR on critical registers; periodic scrubbing
R-08
Thermal violation (battery overheat)
Medium
High
High
Thermal isolators; heater control; duty-cycle limits in software
R-09
Antenna fails to deploy
Low
Critical
Medium
Redundant deployment mechanism; 30-min timer + ground command backup
R-10
GNSS fails to acquire fix in orbit
Low
Low
Low
Orbit propagator fallback (SGP4); TLE upload from ground
ID
Risk
Likelihood
Impact
Mitigation
R-11
Launch delay > 6 months
High
Medium
Flexible launch broker; multiple manifests
R-12
Key personnel unavailable
Medium
Medium
Cross-training; documentation
R-13
Budget overrun on GS equipment
Low
Low
Phased procurement; borrow equipment
R-14
Frequency coordination delayed
Medium
High
Apply to IARU early; have backup frequencies
R-15
Component obsolescence
Low
Medium
Maintain approved vendor list; buy spares early
Impact -->
Negligible Minor Moderate Major Critical
Very | | | | |
High | | | | |
+---------+------+---------+-------+---------
High | | R-11 | | |
+---------+------+---------+-------+---------
Medium | R-07 | R-06 | R-04 | R-02 |
| | R-12 | R-08 | |
+---------+------+---------+-------+---------
Likelihood | R-10 | R-13 | R-03 | R-01 | R-05
Low | | | R-14 | | R-09
+---------+------+---------+-------+---------
Very | | | R-15 | |
Low | | | | |
+---------+------+---------+-------+---------
Legend: Green = acceptable, Yellow = monitor, Red = mitigate actively
6. Launch Vehicle Interface
6.1 Deployer Compatibility
Deployer
Vendor
Envelope
Mass Limit
Interface
Compatible
P-POD Mk III
Cal Poly
3U (100x100x340.5mm)
4.0 kg
Rail + spring
Yes
ISIPOD
ISIS
3U (100x100x340.5mm)
4.0 kg
Rail + spring
Yes
QuadPack
ISIS
4x 3U
4.0 kg each
Rail + spring
Yes
NRCSD
NanoRacks
6U (can accommodate 3U)
4.0 kg (3U)
Rail
Yes
6.2 CDS Compliance Checklist
Requirement
CDS Section
Status
Maximum mass 4.0 kg
3.2.1
Compliant (2.84 kg with margin)
Dimensions 100x100x340.5 mm
3.2.2
To be verified (fit check)
Rail material: AL 7075 or equiv.
3.2.4
Compliant (AL 6061-T6, approved)
Rail surface finish Ra < 1.6 um
3.2.5
To be verified (profilometer)
CG within 2 cm of geometric center
3.2.9
Compliant (9mm offset)
No hazardous materials
3.3.1
Compliant (Li-ion qualified)
Deployment switches (2x)
3.4.1
Compliant (Endurosat KS-01)
Remove-Before-Flight pin
3.4.2
Compliant (RBF disables TX)
No RF emission before deployment
3.4.3
Compliant (30-min timer)
Battery charge state 30-50% at launch
3.5.1
Procedure in place
6.3 Launch Environment (Generic LEO Rideshare)
Parameter
Value
Source
Quasi-static acceleration
6.5 g (axial), 2.0 g (lateral)
Launcher user manual
Random vibration
14.1 g_rms (qualification)
GEVS-SE
Acoustic
140 dB OASPL
Launcher user manual
Shock (separation)
1000 g SRS at 1 kHz
Deployer spec
Thermal (pre-launch, fairing)
+10C to +40C
Launcher user manual
Depressurization rate
< 5 kPa/s
Launcher user manual
7. Ground Segment Architecture
+--------------------+ Internet +------------------+
| Mission Control |<================>| Data Processing |
| Center (MCC) | | Server |
| - Pass planning | | - TM archival |
| - Command gen. | | - Image processing|
| - Health monitor | | - Science data |
+--------+-----------+ +------------------+
|
| LAN / VPN
|
+--------v-----------+
| Ground Station |
| Tashkent |
| - UHF Yagi + rotor |
| - S-band dish |
| - SDR (USRP B210) |
| - GS software |
| - Auto-tracking |
+--------+------------+
|
| RF (437 MHz / 2.4 GHz)
|
~~~~~v~~~~~
Satellite
~~~~~~~~~~~
7.1 Ground Station Equipment List
Item
Model/Spec
Purpose
UHF Antenna
9-element cross Yagi, RHCP
TT&C link
S-band Antenna
2.4m parabolic dish, RHCP
Science data downlink
Rotator
Yaesu G-5500 (Az/El)
Antenna tracking
SDR
Ettus USRP B210 (70MHz-6GHz)
Modem (TX/RX)
LNA (UHF)
NooElec SAWbird+ (NF=0.5dB)
Signal amplification
LNA (S-band)
Custom (NF=0.7dB, G=25dB)
Signal amplification
PA (UHF uplink)
4W, 430-440 MHz
Command uplink
Computer
Linux workstation
GS software host
UPS
1 kVA
Power backup
GPS Receiver
u-blox M8
Time synchronization (UTC)
8. Mission Phases Detailed
8.1 LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) -- Days 0-1
Event
Time After Deploy
Automated
Action
Separation from deployer
T+0
Yes
Kill switches release
Deployment timer starts
T+0
Yes
30-min wait (CDS req.)
Battery check
T+1 min
Yes
Verify SOC > 20%
OBC boot sequence
T+1 min
Yes
Load flight config
Antenna deployment
T+30 min
Yes
Burn-wire activation
First beacon TX
T+31 min
Yes
UHF beacon at 0.1 Hz
ADCS sensors ON
T+32 min
Yes
Magnetometer + gyro
B-dot detumble start
T+33 min
Yes
Magnetorquer control
First GS contact
T+1-8 hr
GS
TM reception, initial assessment
Detumble complete
T+3-5 hr
Yes
Angular rate < 0.5 deg/s
8.2 Commissioning -- Days 1-14
Day
Activity
Success Criterion
1-2
EPS checkout: solar current, battery V/I/T
All values in expected range
2-3
COMM checkout: UHF link quality, S-band test
> 95% packet success, S-band sync
3-4
GNSS first fix, orbit determination
Position fix < 10m, velocity < 0.1 m/s
4-5
Solar panel deployment (if deployable)
Panel current increase confirmed
5-6
ADCS calibration: mag bias, sun sensor alignment
Residuals < 1% FS
6-7
ADCS pointing test: nadir lock
Pointing error < 5 deg
7-8
Camera first light (test image)
Image received and decoded
8-10
ADCS fine pointing (reaction wheels)
Pointing error < 1 deg
10-12
Payload commissioning (radiation, IoT)
Data received and validated
12-14
End-to-end mission rehearsal
Full imaging + downlink cycle
9.1 Daily Data Generation
Source
Rate
Daily Volume
Priority
OBC Housekeeping
48 bytes/s
4.1 MB
High
EPS Telemetry
72 bytes/s
6.2 MB
High
ADCS Attitude
84 bytes/s
7.3 MB
Medium
GNSS Position
5 bytes/s
0.4 MB
Low
COMM Status
3 bytes/s
0.3 MB
Low
Radiation Data
0.3 bytes/s
0.03 MB
Medium
Camera (2 images/day)
Burst
6 MB
High
Total daily generation
~24 MB
9.2 Daily Downlink Capacity
Link
Passes/day
Per-pass Volume
Daily Total
UHF
6
240 KB
1.4 MB
S-band
4
6.9 MB
27.6 MB
Total downlink
29.0 MB
Margin: 29.0 / 24.0 = 1.21 (21% data margin) -- adequate for nominal operations.
Onboard storage (32 GB SD) provides ~1,300 days of buffering at full rate.
ECSS-M-ST-10C Rev. 1: Space Project Management - Project Planning and Implementation (2009)
ECSS-E-ST-10C: Space Engineering - System Engineering General Requirements (2009)
ECSS-E-ST-10-06C: Space Engineering - Technical Requirements Specification (2009)
CubeSat Design Specification (CDS) Rev. 14, Cal Poly SLO, 2020
Wertz, J.R., "Space Mission Engineering: The New SMAD", Microcosm Press, 2011
Maral, G. and Bousquet, M., "Satellite Communications Systems", Wiley, 6th Ed.
NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, NASA SP-2016-6105 Rev. 2