FloripaSat-RE: The Preliminary Design Overview

Abstract

Currently, many CubeSats experience high failure rates due to their COTS components, which were never designed to work on-orbit and in a very radiation-intensive and extreme-temperature environment, and are generally without any effective radiation mitigation strategies in their PCB designs. The studies also proved that CubeSat mission failure rates were higher than those of bigger satellites. Neither of these platforms emphasized radiation tolerance or reliability over long periods. This paper describes a new CubeSat platform developed for mitigation of these limitations, mainly concerning the design of a radiation-tolerant Electrical Power System, RE²PS. For the first time, this improved platform will fly on the mission called FloripaSat-RE, following the ECSS standards and making use of fully analogue circuits for enhanced resistance to radiation. A thorough CubeSat architectures review and testing protocols are in process. Electrical and radiation testing is in process. The mid-year due Preliminary Design Review, FloripaSat-RE, will be an important milestone in setting a new standard for CubeSat missions operating in demanding environments.