TOPMEX-9 distributed SAR mission employing nanosatellite cluster
Gutierrez-Nava A, Ponce O, Lopez-Dekker P, Patyuchenco A, Younis M, Krieger G, Reigber A, Moreira A, Vicente-Vivas E, Ocampo-Torres F, Pachecho E (2012)
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2012
Edited Volumes: Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Book Volume: 4
Pages Range: 1-11
Conference Proceedings Title: International Astronautical Congress
Event location: Naples
ISBN: 9781622769797
URI: https://elib.dlr.de/77346/
Abstract
This paper presents the strategy for the development of TOPMEX-9, an innovative concept for Earth observation based on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and nanosatellite clusters. The concept is intended as a, as a start up project for future collaboration between the Microwaves and Radar Institute (HR) of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Mexican Talent Network (RDTM). The idea is based on a nanosatellite formation flying around a microsatellite using a distributed constellation in multistatic SAR mode. This is an analogy with the sun providing illumination to passive optical receivers or cameras. The microsatellite acts as a speaker (Tx) while the nanosatellites around behave as listeners (Rx). Multistatic SAR mode allows the separation of radar payloads, thus decreasing volume, weight, power and consequently the mission costs. It allows permits retrieval of multi-angle measurements, thus obtaining more information about the illuminated scene than the monostatic SAR systems. The design of each TOPMEX-9 nanosatellite is based on the CubeSat standard and includes a single receiver reflector antenna in H or V polarisation in the Ka-band (32.6-37.0 GHz). The SAR system distributed architecture (i.e. radar, TM/TC, tracking and intercommunication) has the advantage of maximizing the energy of the radar antenna, thus having a better signal-to-noise ratio. TOPMEX-9 is predicted to a great impact in future low-cost Earth observation missions. This mission is focused on applications in oceanography such as ocean wave spectra and sea surface roughness measurements, coastal area monitoring, wind speed estimation and atmosphere studies. Other applications are ice roughness in cryosphere research and ship detection. The limited lifetime of a nanosatellite is compensated by the fact that new radar cluster configurations can be launched based on lessons learned, contributions in the acceleration of technology development and proving innovative data acquisition schemes. Copyright © (2012) by the International Astronautical Federation.
Authors with CRIS profile
Additional Organisation(s)
Involved external institutions
Mexican Talent Network UK
United Kingdom (GB)
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center
Germany (DE)
National Autonomous University of Mexico / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Mexico (MX)
Agencia Espacial Mexicana
Mexico (MX)
United Kingdom (GB)
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center
Germany (DE)
National Autonomous University of Mexico / Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)
Mexico (MX)
Agencia Espacial Mexicana
Mexico (MX)
How to cite
APA:
Gutierrez-Nava, A., Ponce, O., Lopez-Dekker, P., Patyuchenco, A., Younis, M., Krieger, G.,... Pachecho, E. (2012). TOPMEX-9 distributed SAR mission employing nanosatellite cluster. In International Astronautical Congress (pp. 1-11). Naples, IT.
MLA:
Gutierrez-Nava, Antonio, et al. "TOPMEX-9 distributed SAR mission employing nanosatellite cluster." Proceedings of the 63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012, Naples 2012. 1-11.
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