Station for Receiving and Measuring of Nanoand Picosatellites’ Orbital Parameters with Time Reference

For early detection of new operational nanosatellites and CubeSats, it is necessary to organize a network of stations for receiving signals and processing their parameters for preliminary orbit analysis. Aim of the work was to develop a ground station for receiving telemetry from nanoand picosatellites allowing measurements and rapid analysis of orbital parameters using precise timestamps. This station allows for measurements and express analysis of orbital parameters using precise time stamps. A prototype station was created based on the developed functional block diagrams for hardware and software of the telemetry receiving station. The prototype station allows for measurements of the reception time and packet duration, Doppler frequency shift, time delay, and express analysis of orbital parameters. The accumulated data were used to measure precise orbital parameters of nanoand picosatellites. A temporary binding was obtained using the GNSS module, allowing for setting of time stamps with an accuracy of no worse than 3 μs, which was sufficient for determining the inclination of a small spacecraft with an accuracy of no worse than 450 m. A method was shown for determining the orbital parameters of a small spacecraft by measuring Doppler frequency shifts tied to precise time of the GNSS receiver. The developed ground station for receiving and measuring the nanosatellites’s orbital parameters is located in Minsk and allows for receiving signals from satellites with an orbital altitude not exceeding 1000 km, with an orbital inclination of at least 40°, in the amateur radio frequency range of 430–440 MHz. Test radio engineering was conducted. Measurements and a method for conducting time synchronization were developed to improve the accuracy of determining the orbits of nanoand picosatellites.

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