ZACube-2 Mission Operations Analysis

Abstract

This research entails a comprehensive analysis of ZACube-2 operational mission data which addresses on-orbit operations. The mission operations evaluation criteria that will be investigated include all available telemetry, tracking, and command datasets at system and subsystem levels, with the orbital dynamics of the system and the ground segment operations. An auxiliary analysis will investigate space weather and its effects on the mission about how the system reacts in the presence of solar activity over particular areas of the Earth, which will provide an assessment of overall system robustness. The research output will give an objective evaluation of the operational performance of the system comprising space and ground segments against the mission design specifications. It will compare the as-designed features of the satellite with actual system performance. Design improvements will be recommended for incorporation in the design cycle of future missions.