1. V. M. Lipunov, E. S. Gorbovskoy
D. V. SKOBELTSYN INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR PHYSICS, M. V. LOMONOSOV MOSCOW STATE UNIVERSITY, RUSSIA
The Project “Universat” of the System of Small Satellites for Monitoring of the Space Threats
M. I. Panasyuk, M. V. Podzolko, V. I. Osedlo, V. V. Kalegaev, S. I. Svertilov, I. V. Yashin, A. S. Chepurnov, P. A. Klimov, V. L. Petrov, A. M. Amelyushkin, E.P. Popova
D. V. Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (SINP MSU), Russia
V. M. Lipunov, E. S. Gorbovskoy
P. K. Sternberg Astronomical Institute, M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (SINP MSU), Russia
– tasks for the system of small satellite for monitoring the space threats;
– system of small satellite for radiation belts monitoring: background, concept, orbits, instruments;
– monitoring of space debris and asteroids using wide-angle cameras;
– orbits for multipurpose system of small satellites;
– launch options;

2. Electromagnetic transients in upper atmosphere
Space threats
Gamma-ray bursts
Solar energetic particles
RADIATION
SPACE DEBRIS, ASTEROIDS
Electromagnetic transients in upper atmosphere 2

3. System of small spacecraft for radiation belt monitoring: general
SINP MSU is developing a system of small spacecraft for operative monitoring of radiation in the near-Earth’s space, mainly the fluxes of particles of Earth’s radiation belts. Contract for preliminary development with Ministry of Science and Education of Russia.
Main task: close to “real-time” monitoring of the whole picture of energetic particle flux distribution in the wide range of Earth’s radiation belts and for the large number of utilized orbits.
Several small spacecraft (<50–100 kg) will be put in orbits, crossing wide range of magnetic drift shells at different altitudes, measure fluxes of energetic electrons and protons by multidirectional detectors and promptly transmit the data to the ground using satellite retranslation systems. In the ground data-center the distribution of particle fluxes in the whole Earth’s radiation belts (up to GEO) will be computed. End-user will be able to access the data center by the web and find out current radiation conditions in the near-Earth’s space or in a particular orbit.
Secondary tasks:
– Verification of existing models and development of new, possibly dynamical models of Earth’s radiation belts;
– Receiving new experimental data for solving the problems of Earth’s magnetosphere physics.
Cooperation:
– system concept, spectrometers of energetic electrons and protons – SINP MSU
– spacecraft orientation system – Scientific Research Institute of Electromechanics (NIIEM)
– platform – possibly JSC “VNIIEM Corporation”
– launch – possibly as secondary payload by NPO Lavochkina “Frigate” upper stage
– other instruments and systems –

4. System of small satellites for monitoring the space threats: orbits2 1 B
Perpendicular to magnetic meridian
Center of shifted dipole
Orbits of multitask small satellite system
Possible orientation of particle detectors
1. 1–3 small satellites with a mass <50–100 kg for operative monitoring of radiation in the wide range of Earth radiation belts in the elliptical orbit with heights of perigee and apogee ≈700 and 8000 km, inclination 63.4°, argument of perigee ≈310°.
2. Somewhat larges satellite in near-polar orbit with a height of ≈1000 km. Tasks:
– close to “real-time” monitoring of space debris and asteroids using SHOK cameras together with the ground-based network of telescopes;;
– close to “real-time” monitoring of radiation for the region of all low altitudes, additional data for the satellites on elliptical orbit
– secondary task: observations in UV/x-ray/gamma range of electromagnetic transients in the upper atmosphere and in the universe and/or solar flares.

5. System of small spacecraft for radiation belt monitoring: launch
Option #1: Launch as secondary payload by “Soyuz” rocket with “Frigate” upper stage.
“Frigate” rocket upper stage is developed by NPO Lavochkin. Used with medium-class “Soyuz” and “Zenith” rockets from Russian and French Kourou cosmodromes. 55 launches from 2000th year with >100 satellites.
Provides autonomous (without ground control) launch of several spacecraft into different orbits. Capable of multiple main engine burns (up to 7).
“Frigate-M/MT/SB”
“Frigate” with “Meteor” and 6 small satellites under “Soyuz-2” rocket nose cone
Alternatives:
– launch of 1–3 satellites with light-class rocket, for example, “Soyuz-2.1v” + “Volga” upper stage;
– rising from LEO by compact electro-rocket engines
Example of multisatellite launch (“Kanopus-B”, “BKA”, “TET-1”, “ADS-1b”, “MKA-FKI”) using “Frigate” upper stage, 22 July, 2012.