Dove 1

The Dove-1 mission is a technology demonstration nanosatellite for Cosmogia Inc. for remote sensing purposes based on the triple CubeSat form factor.

The goal of the mission is:

• build a low-cost imaging satellite with non-space, COTS components;
• to show that a bus constrained to the 3U cubesat form factor can viably host a small camera payload; and
• demonstrate the ability to design, produce and operate satellites on short schedules and low cost.

Dove-1 will do this by transmitting health and image data to the ground.

Dove-1 is based on the 3U cubesat form factor. Basic physical dimensions are 100 mm × 100 mm × 340 mm with a mass of approximately 6.0 kg. The Dove-1 superstructure is comprised of three 100 mm × 100 mm skeleton plates, with L rails along each 300 mm corner edge. There is one plate at each end of the structure to carry the telescope and camera mass. Additionally, there is a skeleton support structure behind the telescope to hold the required electronics. The optical path is down the central axis of the satellite. The design includes a spring-loaded lens flap to protect the optics during launch and to mount the S-band patch antenna.

Dove 1 is licensed to collect images of the Earth and will undertake a short-duration experimental mission in a circular, low-Earth orbit (approximately 250 km) at an inclination of 51.6°. The satellite was launched as a secondary payload on the maiden flight of the Antares-110 launch vehicle on 21. April 2013. It reentred on 27. April 2013.