CanX-2 Satellite

Part of the Canadian CubeSat nanosatellite program, , an academic experiment that demonstrated how compact technology can achieve great scientific impact. 

Mission Objective

The project is a dual-satellite mission that aims to evaluate and demonstrate new technologies for the upcoming flight mission while performing scientific experiments.

Mission Significance

The emerging aerial formation technology may allow larger-scale missions dedicated to high-resolution Earth observation and interferometric imaging. Eventually, those will serve the space research field.

Source: SFL

Engineering Challenges

CanX-2 technical challenges are no different from those of typical imaging systems, except that each challenge is more complex due to the satellite’s nanoscale.

• Small Instrumentation Integration – maintaining the functionality and alignment of the payload of a small CubSat platform.
• Stray-light control in miniature optics – Preventing internal reflections, scattering, and contrast loss when optical components are placed extremely close together.
• Thermal stability – Maintaining heat management and thermal gradient prevention for the instruments.
• Energy management – Operating with minimal solar panel area and limited battery capacity, requiring highly efficient power usage.
• Radiation exposure – Provide protection to small, low-mass electronics from increased radiation damage in low-Earth orbit.

Mission Components

CanX-2 has an imaging system and 4 scientific payloads, all of which are for experimental use:

The imaging system

Color imager: Performance of star tracking experiments.
Monochromatic CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imager: Capturing images of relevant targets of interest.

Argus 1000 Spectrometer

Goal: Detecting greenhouse gas amounts in the NIR spectrum.
How: Using the Earthshine spectrum.

GOE (GPS Occultation Experiment)

Goal: Performance of refractive radio occultation measurements of our atmosphere, while monitoring the aurora.

ASME (Advanced Surface Material degradation Experiment)

Goal: Observation of the changes in the sample thickness of the surface because of oxygen erosion. For evaluating the performance of the special surface treatment which is needed.

How: Utilizes a photon detector to assess the deterioration of an exposed-to-space material sample.

Satellite Communication Protocol Experiment

Goal: dynamic transfer of data.

How: The network protocol on a specific satellite activates when receiving data and transmits information to other satellites or ground stations as they become visible.

Source: SFL

Acktar’s Solution

To address CanX2 challenges properly, Acktar provided the Nano Black coating, which is specified for nano-instruments such as the CubeSat instrument. By supporting both thermal regulation and optical cleanliness, Acktar’s black coating solutions help CanX-2 achieve reliable scientific measurements despite the satellite’s strict mass, volume, and power constraints.

Impact

The CanX-2 satellite is under the CanX program, so in addition to serving an educational purpose by promoting the young generation of engineers, it also has a technological and scientifically important impact.
The satellite performed various experiments, including characterization of the upper atmosphere, measurements of greenhouse gases, and a series of experiments exploring materials in space. Also, it tests new nanocube satellite technologies such as propulsion systems, altitude sensors, and so on.

The CanX Program

Name: The Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment (CanX)
Owner: University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies
Establishment: By Dr. Robert E. Zee, manager of UTIAS/SFL 2002.
Program Objective: Involvement of graduate students in the process of spacecraft development, by enabling affordable access to space scientific research. The program is the first and only Canadian nanosatellite program and is operated by students and teachers of the Institution.

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