ARKSat-2 Spacecraft

In space demonstration of an agile, low-cost, non-toxic, biocompatible, and non-pressurized micro-propulsion system.

ARKSAT-2 will highlight a water - propylene glycol mixture cold gas propulsion technique, and will be equipped with a simple, reliable, low-cost, and lightweight Solid State Inflatable Balloon (SSIB) deorbiting system applicable to small satellites.

The SSIB is comprised of a solid state gas generator (SSGG), space compatible balloon film structure, and spacecraft integration subsystem. The SSGG is a 2D array of sodium azide crystals, which, when heated, Amateur Satellite Frequency

Coordination Request — Produce N2 gas which will inflate the balloon. The heater system uses about 1W of power for less than 10 seconds, and the gas is generated within milliseconds. The inflated balloon will then greatly increase the aerodynamic drag on the satellite, reducing the amount of time a given satellite will be orbital debris after its mission has ended. The SSIB system is designed to reduce orbital lifetime of small satellites well within the FAA requirements of 25 years.

Mission Phases:

1. Initial flight demonstration and ground station communications operations for UA.
2. Demonstrate operation of propylene glycol cold gas thrusters.
3. Test small satellite deorbiting system in LEO space environment.