Overview of Nano-satellite Environmental Tests Standardization Project: Test Campaign and Standard Draft

摘要

To improve the reliability of nano-satellites while keeping their advantages, low-cost and fast-delivery, a new way ofthinking about environment test is necessary. In the present paper, the word of “nano-satellite” means a satellitewhose weight and size is, but not limited to, typically less than 50kg and 50cm, respectively. The nano-satellitesintend to achieve the low-cost and fast-delivery by extensive use of non-space-qualified commercial-off-the-shelf(COTS) parts and components. Currently there is confusion among developers and customers about how theenvironment tests should be done for nano-satellites. A new government funded project started whose objective is toestablish international standards of environment tests of nano-satellite system and components. The project aims toestablish an international standard for testing of nano-satellite system and components. In the project, we will tailorthe existing testing standards for traditional large/medium-class satellites with clear rationales supported by basicresearches and the outcomes of past nano-satellite projects. Currently, testing campaign is underway to gather basicdata such as temperature and acceleration distributions within a satellite under thermal-vacuum or vibrationenvironments during the laboratory tests using dummy satellites. The first workshop was already held in December2011. The present paper briefly introduces the project’s current status..