Quantifying on-orbit performance of CubeSat micropropulsion systems by observing orbital element variations

The Advanced Propulsion Experiment mission in development by the Missouri University of Science and Technology\u27s satellite research team (M-SAT) is a technology demonstration mission of a multi-mode propulsion system. The true test of any satellite propulsion system is the on-orbit performance. The purpose of this research is to develop methods for quantifying the on-orbit performance of the multi-mode propulsion system. This performance can be determined by observing the small variations in the orbital element parameters and using a differential corrector with the Gauss Variation of Parameter equations. Furthermore, this research could be used to determine and quantify a propulsion system\u27s performance on-orbit without a priori knowledge of the capabilities of the system. This is potentially useful in passively acquiring knowledge of non-cooperative spacecraft --Abstract, page iii