Earth Escape Explorer
Earth Escape Explorer (CU-E3) is a nanosatellite of the 6-Unit CubeSat format that will demonstrate long-distance communications while in heliocentric orbit.[3]
![]() Prototype of CU-E3 | |
Mission type | Technology |
---|---|
Operator | University of Colorado Boulder |
Mission duration | 1 year (planned) |
Distance travelled | 27 million km (planned) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | Earth Escape Explorer |
Spacecraft type | 6U CubeSat |
Bus | XB1 (Blue Canyon Technologies) |
Manufacturer | University of Colorado Boulder |
Launch mass | 14 kg (31 lb) |
Dimensions | 10×20×30 cm |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2021[1] |
Rocket | SLS Block 1 |
Launch site | Kennedy LC-39B |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Heliocentric (Earth-trailing) |
Flyby of Moon | |
Transponders | |
Band | Uplink: C band} Downlink: X band |
Frequency | C band: 5182 MHz X band: 8447.6 MHz[2] |
Capacity | 13 bit/s (at 27 million km[2]) |
EIRP | 108 dBm [2] |
The Earth Escape Explorer spacecraft is a student-driven effort at University of Colorado Boulder to design and build the spacecraft as part of the NASA CubeQuest Challenge. It will be one of thirteen CubeSats to be carried with the Artemis 1 mission into a heliocentric orbit in cislunar space on the maiden flight of the Space Launch System and the Orion spacecraft, scheduled to launch in 2019.[4]
Objectives
The CU-E3 team is pursuing four different CubeQuest prizes: Largest aggregate data volume; most error-free data blocks; the most distant communications from Earth; and spacecraft longevity.[5]
Design
Once deployed in the vicinity of the Moon, CU-E3 will use a lunar gravity assist to propel itself into heliocentric orbit, trailing the Earth and slowly distancing itself over time.[3] By the end of its one-year mission, CU-E3 is planned to be as far as 27 million kilometers from Earth.[3] The spacecraft will use a commercial 6U CubeSat satellite body (bus) called XB1, measuring about 10×20×30 cm. The mass is about 14 kg (31 lb).[6] Electric power will be provided by solar panels and stored in rechargeable lithium batteries.
- Communications
The mission is focused upon advancing deep space CubeSat communication techniques using an innovative reflective array antenna, an X band transmitter for downlink and a C band transmitter for uplink.[2][3][5] The antenna array is "planar", meaning all of the elements are in one plane, yet provide a large aperture for beam steering and make possible high data rates.[5] ATLAS Ground Networks will be the ground station for their uplink and downlink communications.[5] Their telecomm package is called High-Rate CubeSat Communication System (HRCCS).[2]
- Propulsion
CU-E3 does not feature an on board propulsion system, and will be using solar radiation pressure for reaction wheel desaturation and attitude control (orientation).[5]
See also
- The 13 CubeSats flying on Artemis 1
- Lunar Flashlight will map exposed water ice on the Moon
- Near-Earth Asteroid Scout by NASA is a solar sail spacecraft that will encounter a near-Earth asteroid
- BioSentinel is an astrobiology mission
- SkyFire by Lockheed Martin
- Lunar IceCube, by the Morehead State University
- CubeSat for Solar Particles (CuSP)
- Lunar Polar Hydrogen Mapper (LunaH-Map), designed by the Arizona State University
- EQUULEUS, submitted by JAXA and the University of Tokyo
- OMOTENASHI, submitted by JAXA, is a lunar lander
- ArgoMoon, designed by Argotec and coordinated by Italian Space Agency
- Cislunar Explorers, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
- Earth Escape Explorer (CU-E3), University of Colorado Boulder
- Team Miles, by Fluid & Reason, LLC. Florida
References
- "NASA's large SLS rocket unlikely to fly before at least late 2021". 17 July 2019.
- A Deep Space Radio Communications Link for Cubesats: The CU-E3 Communication Subsystem. John S. Sobtzak, Elie G.Tianang, Varun Joshi, Breana M. Branham, Neeti P. Sonth, Michael DeLuca, Travis Moyer, Kyle Wislinsky, and Scott E. Palo. University of Colorado Boulder. 2017.
- CU Earth Escape Explorer. University of Colorado Boulder. 2017.
- Anderson, Gina; Porter, Molly (8 June 2017). "Three DIY CubeSats Score Rides on NASA's First Flight of Orion, Space Launch System". NASA.
- Cube Quest Challenge Team Spotlight: CU-E3. Colorado Space News. 2017.
- CU-E3. Gunter Dirk Krebs, Gunter's Space Page. 2017.