Abstract: A constellation of individual satellites are employed to concurrently collect occultation data from multiple GPSS originating signals that pass through atmospheric sections of interest. By coordinating the collection and processing of the data using state of the art receivers on a constellation of low earth orbit satellites and networked processing, highly accurate calculation of atmospheric conditions and related future weather events are possible.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for tasking satellite constellations. A method is disclosed herein for receiving, from a resource database of a satellite control system, knowledge data corresponding to a plurality of components associated with a satellite constellation communications system. The plurality of components can include one or more satellites associated with a constellation. The method includes processing the knowledge data according at least one received mission objective. Processing the knowledge data can include determining a status of at least one satellite in the constellation.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for managing one or more ground stations that track satellites. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores information of a ground station at a first position at a first time. A processor receives from a sensor information of the ground station at a second position at a second time. The processor detects an anomaly of a positional characteristic of the ground station based on a difference between the first position and the second position. The processor outputs an instruction to calibrate the ground station based on the detected anomaly.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for tasking satellite constellations. A method is disclosed herein for receiving, from a resource database of a satellite control system, knowledge data corresponding to a plurality of components associated with a satellite constellation communications system. The plurality of components can include one or more satellites associated with a constellation. The method includes processing the knowledge data according to at least one received mission objective. Processing the knowledge data can include determining a status of at least one satellite in the constellation.

Abstract: A constellation of individual satellites are employed to concurrently collect occultation data from multiple GPSS originating signals that pass through atmospheric sections of interest. By coordinating the collection and processing of the data using state of the art receivers on a constellation of low earth orbit satellites and networked processing, highly accurate calculation of atmospheric conditions and related future weather events are possible.

Abstract: A power distribution system and a method thereof regulate power distribution in a small form factor satellite flight system. The power distribution system may include a power source and a plurality of power channels. The power channels may distribute power from the power source to a plurality of systems in the small form factor satellite flight system. A processor may monitor power availability of the power source. The processor may also collect housekeeping information of the plurality of systems in the small form factor satellite flight system. The processor may regulate the power channels based on the power availability and the housekeeping information.

Abstract: A cubesat communications system includes an on-board computer implemented on a hardware platform. The on-board computer may include a system on module having a processor and a memory storing “boot” information. The on-board computer may also include a plurality of hardware interfaces implemented on the hardware platform to facilitate communication between the processor and a plurality of peripherals external to the on-board computer. The on-board computer may have a backplane having a plurality of connectors connecting the processor to the peripherals.

Abstract: Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems and methods for data alignment without requiring an external synchronizing trigger. A method is provided that can include receiving a signal that represents a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of the frames include an optional data portion and a predetermined portion. The method includes sampling and buffering at least a portion of the received signal to produce a buffered digital sequence. The method includes processing, by a sequence alignment module, the buffered digital sequence using a known sequence, where the known sequence corresponds to the predetermined portion. The method includes determining, using the sequence alignment module, respective positions of the buffered digital sequence corresponding to the known sequence, comparing the known sequence with the buffered digital sequence at the respective determined positions, and outputting one or more parameters based at least in part on the comparing.

Abstract: A cubesat communication system implementing addressable data packet for transmitting information collected by the cubesat to one or more receive-only ground stations. The cubesat may transmit information to the receive-only ground stations according to a scheduler. The receive-only ground stations may receive information from the cubesat without sending any commands to the cubesat to prompt transmission and re-transmit to a central common station using a bent pipe streaming protocol. Information between the cubesat and the ground station may be transmitted via a connectionless, datagram network protocol.

Abstract: A method is provided that can include designating as a control node, a first communication node of a plurality of communication nodes associated with a satellite communications system. The method can include, designating as a listening node, a second communication node of the plurality of communication nodes. The listening node is responsive to instructions provided by the control node. The method includes receiving, at a tuning module, one or more input tuning factors, wherein the one or more input tuning factors can include at least a resource burden factor. Responsive to receiving the one or more input tuning factors, the method includes adjusting by the tuning module, one or more tunable output parameters. The method includes sending, from the control node to the listening node, instructions comprising one or more of the tunable output parameters, and executing the instructions at the listening node.

Abstract: A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to systems and methods for managing one or more ground stations that track satellites. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores information of a ground station at a first position at a first time. A processor receives from a sensor information of the ground station at a second position at a second time. The processor detects an anomaly of a positional characteristic of the ground station based on a difference between the first position and the second position. The processor outputs an instruction to calibrate the ground station based on the detected anomaly.

Abstract: A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data.

Abstract: A cubesat communication system implementing addressable data packet for transmitting information collected by the cubesat to one or more receive-only ground stations. The cubesat may transmit information to the receive-only ground stations according to a scheduler. The receive-only ground stations may receive information from the cubesat without sending any commands to the cubesat to prompt transmission and re-transmit to a central common station using a bent pipe streaming protocol. Information between the cubesat and the ground station may be transmitted via a connectionless, datagram network protocol.

Abstract: A cubesat design includes selected subsystems for managing communications to other satellites and ground stations. In one embodiment, the subsystem includes a deployable antenna having compact size and low weight that reliably releases and detects an extended antenna after launch.

Abstract: A satellite support and administration system includes a web based portal to allow widespread user access to advanced satellite technology at extremely low costs. The system supports the sequential launch of increasingly sophisticated satellites having limited life spans. Each satellite is equipped with a powerful array of sensors for space based measurement of scientifically and commercially important phenomena. A ground based platform supports and encourages the development of software and custom applications to operate experiments utilizing the processors and sensor array on the satellite.

Abstract: A cubesat communications system includes an on-board computer implemented on a hardware platform. The on-board computer may include a system on module having a processor and a memory storing “boot” information. The on-board computer may also include a plurality of hardware interfaces implemented on the hardware platform to facilitate communication between the processor and a plurality of peripherals external to the on-board computer. The on-board computer may have a backplane having a plurality of connectors connecting the processor to the peripherals.

Abstract: A power distribution system and a method thereof regulate power distribution in a small form factor satellite flight system. The power distribution system may include a power source and a plurality of power channels. The power channels may distribute power from the power source to a plurality of systems in the small form factor satellite flight system. A processor may monitor power availability of the power source. The processor may also collect housekeeping information of the plurality of systems in the small form factor satellite flight system. The processor may regulate the power channels based on the power availability and the housekeeping information.

Abstract: A cubesat design includes selected subsystems for managing communications to other satellites and ground stations. In one embodiment, the subsystem includes a deployable antenna having compact size and low weight that reliably releases and detects an extended antenna after launch.

Abstract: A back-plane connector connects component boards for a cubesat with a processing unit and a board connector electrically connected to the back-plane connector. The board connector mates with complimentary connectors on the component boards. The arrangement facilitates assembly, testing and operational reliability. An image capture system may be included and has an image capture device with a multiplexer for interactive collection and storage of image and video data.