Thank you very much for visiting Gunter's Space Page. I hope that this site is useful and informative for you.
If you appreciate the information provided on this site, please consider supporting my work by making a simple and secure donation via PayPal. Please help to run the website and keep everything free of charge. Thank you very much.
ARAPAIMA
ARAPAIMA [Embry Riddle]
ARAPAIMA (Application for RSO Automated Proximity Analysis and Imaging) is a 6U CubeSat mission developed by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which autonomously maneuvers in close proximity to a Resident Space Object (RSO) for visible, IR, and 3D imaging.
The main objectives of the ARAPAIMA project is to:
- Determine the 3D shape of the RSO without previous knowledge
- Autonomously navigate and safely maneuver in close proximity to the RSO, in low earth orbit
- Estimate the attitude state of the RSO by remote observation
The satellite carries a visible light camera, an IR camera and a Laser range finder with a 2000 meter capability. For maneuvering it features a nanosat propulsion system consisting of eight 10 mN RCS thrusters in four clusters.
It was selected in 2014 by NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative (CSLI) to be launched as part of the ELaNa program., but has been later cancelled for the lack of funds.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Technology |
| Operator: | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
| Contractors: | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University |
| Equipment: | Visible light camera, IR camera, Laser range finder |
| Configuration: | CubeSat (6U) |
| Propulsion: | 8 × 10 mN thrusters |
| Power: | 4 deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 6 kg ? |
| Orbit: |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARAPAIMA | - | cancelled | (via NASA ELaNa program) | with ? |
References:
- K. Harris, M. McGarvey, H. Chang, M. Ryle, T. Ruscitti, B. Udrea, and M. Nayak: Application for RSO Automated Proximity Analysis and IMAging (ARAPAIMA): Development of a Nanosat-based Space Situational Awareness Mission
