Optical Plasma Spectroscopy CubeSat (OPS-Cube) Mission
2019-2021 

Mission Objectives

Primary

P-MO-1:  Verify in-space efficacy of a modified, commercial off-the-shelf optical emission spectrometer as a sensor capable of collecting accurate electric propulsion plasma plume emission light intensity as a function of wavelength.

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P-MO-2: Assess range of feasible orbit lighting conditions and spacecraft attitude states for optical emission spectroscopy data collection where ambient light saturation and environmental noise can be mitigated.

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P-MO-3:  Test in-space utility of a commercial off-the-shelf pulsed plasma thruster to enable orbital maneuvers for a CubeSat.

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Secondary

S-MO-1:  Contribute on-orbit electric propulsion plasma emission data towards the facility testing effects debate within the electric propulsion community.

S-MO-2:  Offer systems engineering and interdisciplinary education for students at WMU

S-MO-3:  Further develop spacecraft engineering facilities and resources at WMU and create more educational opportunities for students.

 

Success Criteria

Minimum 

M-SC-1:  OPS-Cube shall identify propellant species from a plasma thruster using optical emission spectroscopy from an on-orbit platform (P-MO-1, P-MO-2, S-MO-1).

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Full

F-SC-1:  OPS-Cube shall identify relative ion number density and electron temperature using current vs. voltage data obtained from a Langmuir probe within the plasma plume from an on-orbit platform (P-MO-1, P-MO-2, S-MO-1).

F-SC-2:  OPS-Cube shall perform a measurable orbit change maneuver using a plasma thruster  (P-MO-3).
 

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