Analysis and Design of a Deep Space Microsatellite Communication System for a Space Weather Monitoring Mission

This thesis focuses on the analysis and design of a communication subsystem for the HENON satellite, a 12U CubeSat that will be used for a space weather monitoring mission in a distant retrograde orbit (DRO) in the Earth-Sun system. The study explores the state-of-the-art CubeSat technology for deep space communication, including communication standards and protocols specific to space applications. The conducted activities include the definition of the Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) subsystem requirements, the design of the communication subsystem, the definition and trade-off analysis of radio frequency interfaces, the assessment of radiometric and navigation techniques, as well as the antenna system design. This involved the definition of requirements for the antenna system, including antenna type, gain, directivity, the selection of appropriate antennas, and the design of the positioning strategy for the antennas on the spacecraft chassis. Furthermore, commercial and institutional ground stations have been identified for communication with the satellite, and a utilization strategy has been defined. Trade-off analyses, performance assessments, and design consolidation have been conducted through link budget analysis. In order to calculate the link budget, a MATLAB-based tool was developed, incorporating communication standards, modulation, channel encoding, atmospheric attenuation models, and more. This tool enables link budget calculations throughout the mission duration, taking into account the spacecraft's orbital parameters and attitude. This tool is reusable for future missions and provides a preliminary feasibility study option for general CubeSat space missions. The outcome of this thesis is a detailed definition and design of the communication subsystem for the HENON satellite, which will enable near-real-time monitoring of the deep space environment for space weather prediction applications and services. This thesis supports the reliable use of CubeSat technologies in deep space and contributes to the goals of the HENON project. The mission is supported by ASI within the ESA-GSTP program.