Design and Analysis of SmallSat Mission to Venus

Golias, Paul; Williams, Sidney; Cross, Dakota; Pathania, Yuvraj; Card, Leila; Santamaria-Hopkins, Daniel

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Design and Analysis of SmallSat Mission to Venus

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This project details the design and analysis of a SmallSat, the ISS VOPED (Interplanetary Spectroscopy SmallSat for Venus Orbiting Phosphine Existence Detection) on an interplanetary mission to Venus. The satellite is inserted into an interplanetary trajectory to Venus where it transfers to polar orbit at an altitude of 250 km. The spacecraft utilizes a SPIVAC/SOIR Spectrometer to analyze Venus’ atmosphere at Phosphine spectral bands. The spacecraft uses an electric propulsion system to complete its transfer, enter the science orbit around Venus and perform station-keeping maneuvers. The BHT-1500 Hall Thruster with a solid iodine propellant is used for compact storage as compared to other propellants like Xenon which require high pressure, cryogenic storage. The propulsion subsystem and other spacecraft components’ power requirements are satisfied using multijunction solar arrays, a maximum peak-power tracker distribution unit, and lithium-ion batteries. Systems Tool Kit simulations are used to confirm the power subsystem design. For communication, the spacecraft utilizes the Deep Space Network to communicate with ground stations and transfer data. Multi-layered insulation with varying color surface coating will cover all the internal spacecraft components to maintain the operating temperature ranges. This project also highlights a design of a phase separator and improvements to the thermal vacuum chamber test stand.

This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

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