Laser Ranging to Nano-SatellitesG. Kirchner (1), Ludwig Grunwaldt (2), Reinhard Neubert (2), Franz Koidl (1), Merlin Barschke (3), Zizung Yoon (3), Hauke Fiedler (4), Christine Hollenstein (5)

Abstract

Several small satellites in the class of pico- and nano-satellites will be equipped with multiple small corner cubes: OPS-SAT (ESA), S-Net and TechnoSat (8 kg resp. 15 kg; Technical University Berlin), and CubETH (ETH Zuerich). The size of these satellites is in the range from 10x10x30 cm up to about 40x40x30 cm; the planned circular orbits are in the 450 – 620 km range. Commercially available 10 mm and 0.5” corner cubes will be used for SLR; a single corner cube of this size will be sufficient for SLR to the planned LEO orbits. Placing several of these corner cubes on each side of the satellites will not only allow for standard SLR and POD, but also for an independent attitude determination with < 1° accuracy, even after the end of the satellites lifetime, or in case of problems or satellite failure. For multiple satellites flying in close formation, it will be possible to distinguish the sequence of single satellites within the formation.