The ZDPS-1A pico-satellites are the first satellites in China within the 1-10 kg mass range that are successfully operated on orbit. Unlike common pico-satellites, they are designed to be "larger but stronger" with ...The ZDPS-1A pico-satellites are the first satellites in China within the 1-10 kg mass range that are successfully operated on orbit. Unlike common pico-satellites, they are designed to be "larger but stronger" with more powerful platforms and unique payloads so as to bear a better promise for real applications. Through their space flight mission, the functionality and perform- ance of the two flight models are tested on orbit and validated to be mostly normal and in consistency with design and ground tests with only several inconforming occasions. Moreover, they have worked properly on orbit for one year so far, well exceed- ing their life expectancy of three months. Therefore, the space flight mission has reached all its goals, and verified that the design concept and the engineering process of the pico-satellites are sufficient in allowing them the desired functionality and perform- ance in, and the adaption to the launch procedure and the low-Earth orbit space environment. In the foreseeable future, the plat- form together with the design concept and the engineering process of the pico-satellites are expected to be applied to more com- plicated real space applications.展开更多
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (60904090)
文摘The ZDPS-1A pico-satellites are the first satellites in China within the 1-10 kg mass range that are successfully operated on orbit. Unlike common pico-satellites, they are designed to be "larger but stronger" with more powerful platforms and unique payloads so as to bear a better promise for real applications. Through their space flight mission, the functionality and perform- ance of the two flight models are tested on orbit and validated to be mostly normal and in consistency with design and ground tests with only several inconforming occasions. Moreover, they have worked properly on orbit for one year so far, well exceed- ing their life expectancy of three months. Therefore, the space flight mission has reached all its goals, and verified that the design concept and the engineering process of the pico-satellites are sufficient in allowing them the desired functionality and perform- ance in, and the adaption to the launch procedure and the low-Earth orbit space environment. In the foreseeable future, the plat- form together with the design concept and the engineering process of the pico-satellites are expected to be applied to more com- plicated real space applications.