The Ionospheric Nanosatellite Formation, Exploring Space Weather

The Ionosphereic Observation Nanosat Formation (ION-F) is a constellation of three satellites being built by Utah State University (USUSat), University of Washington (DawgStar), and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (HokiSat). The program is under NASA Goddard direction but had been started as part of the AFSOR/DARPA University Nanosatellite Program. It has progressed with support from industry, NASA Goddard, the Air Force Research Labs, and the Air Force Space Test Program. The primary scientific objective is to measure the fundamental parameters of ionosphereic density irregularities that effect radio wave propagation including communications, navigation, and the Global Positioning System. This data will also be used in the development and validation of global ionospheric models. Student teams, with direction from faculty and professionals, are designing and building these 15kg three axis stabilized satellites. The satellites will fly as a string of beads, with varying inter-satellite separation, over an approximate one-year mission. Two of the satellites incorporate propulsion systems for controlling the evolution of the string of beads constellation. Navigation will be provided by an onboard GPS system developed by the John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. ION-F is one of the first tests of a small satellite constellation for making scientific observations of the near Earth space environment