DelFFi: formation flying of two CubeSats for technology, education and science

摘要

Under the QB50 framework, the Delft University of Technology are developing a formation flying mission called DelFFi. The objectives of the DelFFi mission are to demonstrate advanced formation flying technologies with CubeSats, provide an educational framework for students and enable enhanced science return from the QB50. Both satellites will be identical triple-unit CubeSats, each being equipped with a highly miniaturised propulsion system in addition to the science payload. This configuration will allow to demonstrate advanced formation flying as well as scientific data collection. Based on an analysis of guidance, navigation and control needs for formation flying in very low altitude orbits, a staggered approach of increasingly complex operational scenarios for formation flying is developed, analysed and discussed. Implementation options for critical enabling formation flying technology and platform subsystems are presented.