Antti Kestilä

Aalto-1 - An experimental nanosatellite for hyperspectral remote sensing

In this paper we describe the Finnish Earth Observation nanosatallite project Aalto-1. The Aalto-1 is a 4 kg student satellite, based on CubeSat standards. The satellite is designed to carry the worlds smallest remote sensing imaging spectrometer for Earth Observation and several other payloads.

Particle Swarm Optimization With Rotation Axis Fitting for Magnetometer Calibration

This paper presents an improved multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm for magnetometer calibration in spacecraft. The proposed algorithm combines scalar checking with novel rotation axis fitting objective and avoids the requirement for perfectly aligned measurement axis. The improved approach is designed to solve 12 calibration parameters based on the knowledge of the magnetometer rotation axis direction. The performance of the novel algorithm is demonstrated with simulations and experimental data on Aalto-1 nanosatellite.

Aalto-1: a hyperspectral Earth observing nanosatellite

This paper introduces the Aalto-1 remote sensing nanosatellite, which is being built under the coordination of The Department of Radio Science and Engineering of Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering. The satellite is a three unit CubeSat, and it will be mostly built by students. The satellite platform is designed to house several payloads, and the main payload of the Aalto-1 mission will be the worlds smallest hyperspectral imager while secondary payloads being a compact radiation monitor and an electrostatic plasma brake for de-orbiting.

AALTO-1 earth observation cubesat mission — Educational outcomes

Rapid development of Earth Observation technology and increasing awareness of global challenges has increased the need for lean and agile space missions and calls for a new generation of engineers to design them. Miniaturization of sensor technology and electronics has decreased the weight of a satellite, which has brought launch prices to the reach of educational institutes and smaller countries. This is recognized in many universities where nanosatellite projects are used for education. A standard, called CubeSat, has been driving the development and become the most popular development platform for university space projects [1].

Online documentation approach for assisted system engineering and assessment in student projects

In this paper we describe a light on-line documentation approach which was developed for a student satellite project, but is also applicable to wide variety of engineering related student projects. The proposed approach allows flexible schedules in student team, group work and collaboration, assessment of the results, accumulation of the experience gained by previous teams. It integrates also rigorous systems engineering tools to meet the challenges of a complex engineering project. The approach is based loosely in documentation practices in space technology projects combined with best practices from student satellite projects.

The Aalto-1 nanosatellite navigation subsystem: Development results and planned operations

Aalto-1, the first satellite built in Finland, is due to be launched during the first half of 2016. The 4 kg satellite has been designed and built at Aalto University and is based on the CubeSat standard. The satellite carries three payloads: a spectral imager (AaSI) by the Technical Research Center of Finland, a radiation monitor (RADMON) by the University of Turku, and an electrostatic plasma brake (EPB) by the Finnish Meteorological Institute. The payloads require accurate position information to support their scientific missions. CubeSat missions usually plan operations and process scientific data based on two-line element (TLE) orbital parameter sets made available by the United States Air Force. However, the TLE sets may have errors up to several km at epoch, and it was decided that the satellite will be equipped with an independent navigation subsystem capable of more accurate positioning. This paper describes the development results and planned operations of the GPS-based navigation subsystem of Aalto-1. The navigation subsystem has been designed and built using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The navigation subsystem has gone through an extensive qualification process both individually and as a part of Aalto-1 satellite-level qualification. The orbital navigation capability of the receiver has been functionally tested with a GPS signal simulator. Navigation system operations are designed around the scientific mission of the satellite. Analysis tools have been developed for the navigation data that can determine the satellite state vector within 5 m and 0.05 m/s accuracy. Development results and lessons learned are discussed.

Aalto-1 Earth Observation nanosatellite mission status and in orbit experiments

In this paper we will describe a Finnish Aalto-1 CubeSat satellite and describe the first in orbit results of the Earth Observation mission. The Aalto-1 is built by a consortium of universities and institutes and also with a close link to the industry. The mission has goals in education [1], technology demonstration and science. The mission brings Finland also to the widening circle of space faring nations as it is expected to be the first Finnish satellite launched. The original mission idea was developed by Aalto University students in 2010 and the satellite was designed and built as an university project together with wide academic and industrial consortium. The satellite platform was developed by university while the payloads were developed by various consortium partners. The main payload of the mission is a miniature hyperspectral camera AaSI. In this paper we give an overall description of the satellite and its hyperspectral Earth Observation (EO) payload with an emphasis on first in orbit results for EO mission.

Feasibility study for a nanosatellite-based instrument for in-situ measurements of radio noise

The radio environment on the earth is heavily affected by manmade sources such as radio transmissions, radars, and the like. The effect is particularly strong at MF frequencies and below, since the signals can propagate large distances via ionospheric bounce. Terrestrial magnetometer measurements have long been used to predict the Kp index, which is related to radio transmission at these ranges. Space weather measurements and models can also predict propagation of MF signals on the ground.