science

LituanicaSAT-2

LituanicaSAT-2 is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand LituanicaSAT-2 rather than just read about it. In short: LituanicaSAT-2 is a 3U Lithuanian CubeSat satellite launched on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This mission is led by Vilnius University in cooperation with NanoAvionics and is a part of the international "QB50" mission.

Key takeaways

LituanicaSAT-2 belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect LituanicaSAT-2 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of LituanicaSAT-2 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

LituanicaSAT-2 is a 3U Lithuanian CubeSat satellite launched on a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. This mission is led by Vilnius University in cooperation with NanoAvionics and is a part of the international "QB50" mission. LituanicaSAT-2 is an in-orbit technology demonstration mission during which the propulsion system prototype for small satellites will be tested. The satellite was deployed in Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 475 km.

"QB50" mission LituanicaSAT-2 is a part of a network of 50 nano-satellites called "QB50" (EU 7FP project) led by Von Karman Institute, Belgium. The science objective of the mission is to carry out long term measurements of key parameters and constituents in yet largely unexplored lower thermosphere and ionosphere. The "QB50" mission is intended to demonstrate the possibility of launching a network of 50 CubeSats built by Universities Teams all over the world as a primary payload on a low-cost launch vehicle to perform first-class science. Another purposes of the QB50 project is to achieve a sustained and affordable access to space for small scale research space missions and planetary exploration. The scientific purpose of LituanicaSAT-2 mission as a part of "QB50" is to provide long-term multipoint, in-situ measurements. The contribution of the LituanicaSAT-2 is to accomplish the molecular Oxygen measurements Flux-Φ-Probe Experiment (FIPEX).

LituanicaSAT-2 mission objectives In-orbit demonstration of propulsion system prototype developed by NanoAvionics according to contract with Vilnius University. The experiment is to demonstrate the orbital maneuvering and drag compensation capabilities of a 3U CubeSat using an integral green monopropellant micro-thruster. The idea behind this experiment is to increase TRL of small satellite micro propulsion which will be developed as commercial product. Test of the data uplink and downlink capability between CubeSats and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). The purpose of the experiment is to determine technical challenges associated with RPAS and CubeSat radio communication and prove the feasibility of such networks.

LituanicaSAT-2 technical overview LituanicaSAT-2 is consisting of three main modules: a science unit with the FIPEX (Flux-Φ-Probe Experiment) sensor for "QB50", a functional unit with NanoAvionics Command and Service module plus power unit and an experimental unit with the "green" propulsion system. LituanicaSAT-2 is commanded by NanoAvionics SatBus 3C1 which is a main system bus unit based on high-performance, low power consumption STM ARM Cortex 32 bit architecture that integrates 3 in 1 functionality on a single board. The propulsion sub-system is designed to provide 0.3N thrust and up to 200 m/s of delta V. The fuel used is a contemporary green monopropellant fuel blend based on ammonium dinitramide (ADN). It gives 252 s of Isp, has a density of 1.24 g/cm3 with a chamber temperature of 1600 °C. Key fuel selection factors were non-toxicity, stability and benign handling properties at the same time giving very similar or even better performance as a worldwide proven hydrazine monopropellants. Current TRL is at level 5/6. The power generation of LituanicaSAT-2 is provided by 4 fixed and 4 deployable mono crystalline silicon solar panels custom designed and manufactured by NanoAvionics. The panels are able to reach an efficiency of 20%. LituanicaSAT-2 structure is custom designed by NanoAvionics and manufactured locally. The structure is made of 7075 aluminium alloy with hard anodized surfaces. Some of LituanicaSAT-2 parts were 3D-printed using special materials approved for aerospace industry.

Launch On 23 June 2017, the satellite was launched into Sun-synchronous orbit via PSLV. The propulsion tests were successfully executed on 5 July.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with LituanicaSAT-2

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what LituanicaSAT-2 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to LituanicaSAT-2 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about LituanicaSAT-2 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of LituanicaSAT-2

In research: LituanicaSAT-2 appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses LituanicaSAT-2 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: LituanicaSAT-2 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 2017 in Lithuania, CubeSats, Satellites of Lithuania, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for LituanicaSAT-2 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study LituanicaSAT-2 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what LituanicaSAT-2 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain LituanicaSAT-2 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is LituanicaSAT-2 in simple terms?

Why does LituanicaSAT-2 matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study LituanicaSAT-2?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on LituanicaSAT-2.