1. The Buccaneer and Biarri Cubesat Missions
Dr Craig Benson
UNSW Canberra
Buccaneer and Biarri missions
in conjunction with DST Group
All comments are mine and do not represent DST Group

2. Cubesats and their ilk
Cubesats, and other small satellites represent an opportunity for highly capable satellites to be launched with relatively low budgets and on short timelines
As an outsider, the current cubesat architecture is outdated and wasteful. They could be lighter, more capable, more flexible and faster to launch

3. Planet Labs
Image: Planet Labs

4. Planet Labs 92 imaging satellites in orbit Rapid revisit
3-5m resolution imagery
Failures and attrition
Image: Planet Labs

5. Internet of Things
Globalstar already offer simplex STX-3 modules for low cost global tracking and monitoring of assets (via large LEO satellites)

6. ADS-B and AIS tracking
Monitoring of aircraft and ship beacons is a demonstrated capability with single PC-104 cards in cubesats
Images: GOM Space
Images: GOM Space

7. GNSS Occultations for Ionosphere monitoring
GNSS Reflectrometry for ocean monitoring (esa.int)

8. Cubesat Launchers
Traditionally, small-size satellites fly as secondary payloads on major launches
Launcher issues:
Long lead time for integration
Qualification to minimise risk to main payload
Limited ability to influence orbit
Not responsive

9. Rocket Lab 150kg to 500km sun-synchronous orbit $5m/launch = $33k/kg
Image: Rocket Lab

10. Virgin Galactic 747 air launch LOX/RP-1 2-stage rocket
Image: Virgin Galactic

11. DARPA SALVO/ALASA
Twin programs for air launched light satellite to LEO – nominal 100lb for $1m
ALASA canceled due to propellant instability
DARPA Artist Impression

12. Innovation Most innovations will fail
Most companies will fail to make money
But launches will get:
Cheaper
More flexible
More responsive
Less risk averse
Responsive and affordable space access fits with modern innovation
Space is about services to Planet Earth

13. Project Biarri Formation Flying Namuru GPS Laser Tracker UNCLASSIFIED
Biarri is a 5-eyes mission.
Biarri Point :- risk mitigation mission with a single cubesat.
Biarri Squad :- formation of three cubesats.
US agencies providing program management, launch, system integration, environmental testing, backbone of ground station network, mission planning software.
NZ providing a ground station.
UK providing use of a laser ranging facility.
Australia providing (1) Namuru GPS unit developed by the University of NSW (Sydney) and General Dynamics Corporation (NZ), (2) ground station at DST-Group-Edinburgh.
BAE Systems Australia conducted environmental testing of the Namuru GPS units.
Experiments will include:
Learning how to maintain three cubesats in formation (Biarri Squad mission)
Verifying the performance of the Namuru GPS using the ladar at Mount Stromlo that is operated by EOS Pty Ltd
A retro-reflector mounted on the cubesat will be pointed at the ladar to improve the ladar’s measurement accuracy
Confirm that very accurate measurements of distance between the cubesats can be achieved using differential GPS techniques in post-processing
Australian SSA systems will track the Biarri cubesats and we will compare the SSA tracks with the Namuru GPS data:
Determine whether the SSA systems can resolve the three cubesats in Biarri Squad
In collaboration with UNSW Canberra, a differential drag experiment will be performed during Biarri Squad to learn more about the drag and lift forces on the cubesats, with the ultimate objective of better prediction of the orbits of space objects, and more accurate conjunction analysis.
Namuru GPS
Launch:
Risk mitigation: July 2016 October 2016
Main mission: 2017 – 2018
Laser Tracker

14. Project Buccaneer UNCLASSIFIED Calibration measurements for JORN
The Buccaneer cubesat will receive signals from JORN, and the resulting processed data will improve the calibration of JORN.
Two missions: risk mitigation launching January 2017, and the main mission launching in 2018.
US are providing rideshare opportunities for Buccaneer.
DST Group are working in partnership with UNSW (Canberra) to deliver Project Buccaneer.
Purchasing the system part of the spacecraft (structure, power system, flight computer, radios, attitude determination and control) from a US company called Pumpkin Incorporated.
DST Group are building the payload which is a digital High Frequency (HF) receiver. UNSW Canberra are contributing a payload camera that will be used to confirm correct deployment of the HF antenna.
Australia will take the lead for system integration and environmental testing.
Buccaneer will be supported by ground stations at DST-Group-Edinburgh and UNSW (Canberra).
UNSW Canberra will perform photometry experiments by observing the Buccaneer cubesat using their telescope. They are seeking to better understand how measurements of the light signal reflected from space objects can be used to infer information about the tumbling motion of those objects.
Calibration measurements for JORN
Launch:-
Risk Mitigation: January 2017
Main mission: 2018

15. Australian Involvement in Space
Components for space assets are a global market, with niche suppliers
Innovation is about using space to provide services to customers, not only telecoms and TV
Many new ventures will fly satellites, downlink data, and supply the data to users (Planet Labs)
Australia has a large area where LEO satellites can contain emissions solely with our territory
Can we offer expedited approval or special radio downlink capabilities?