Rodríguez-Molina Adrián, Santana Alejandro, Machado Felipe, Barrios Yubal, Hernández-Suárez Emma, Pérez-García Ámbar, Díaz María, Santana Raúl, Sánchez Antonio J, López José F
Institute for Applied Microelectronics (IUMA), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Institute for Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Sensors (Basel). 2024 Nov 29;24(23):7648. doi: 10.3390/s24237648.
CubeSats have emerged as a promising alternative to satellite missions for studying remote areas where satellite data are scarce and insufficient, such as coastal and marine environments. However, their standard size and weight limitations make integrating remote sensing optical instruments challenging. This work presents the development of Bentayga-I, a CubeSat designed to validate PANDORA, a self-made, lightweight, cost-effective multispectral camera with interchangeable spectral optical filters, in near-space conditions. Its four selected spectral bands are relevant for ocean studies. Alongside the camera, Bentayga-I integrates a power system for short-time operation capacity; a thermal subsystem to maintain battery function; environmental sensors to monitor the CubeSat's internal and external conditions; and a communication subsystem to transmit acquired data to a ground station. The first helium balloon launch with B2Space proved that Bentayga-I electronics worked correctly in near-space environments. During this launch, the spectral capabilities of PANDORA alongside the spectrum were validated using a hyperspectral camera. Its scientific applicability was also tested by capturing images of coastal areas. A second launch is planned to further validate the multispectral camera in a real-world scenario. The integration of Bentayga-I and PANDORA presents promising results for future low-cost CubeSats missions.
立方星已成为卫星任务的一种有前景的替代方案，用于研究卫星数据稀缺和不足的偏远地区，如沿海和海洋环境。然而，它们标准的尺寸和重量限制使得集成遥感光学仪器具有挑战性。这项工作展示了Bentayga-I的研制情况，Bentayga-I是一颗立方星，旨在在近太空条件下验证PANDORA，这是一款自制的、轻便、经济高效的多光谱相机，带有可互换的光谱光学滤光片。其选定的四个光谱带与海洋研究相关。除了相机之外，Bentayga-I还集成了一个用于短时间运行能力的电源系统；一个维持电池功能的热子系统；用于监测立方星内部和外部条件的环境传感器；以及一个将采集到的数据传输到地面站的通信子系统。与B2Space合作进行的首次氦气球发射证明了Bentayga-I的电子设备在近太空环境中运行正常。在这次发射过程中，使用高光谱相机验证了PANDORA的光谱能力以及光谱情况。还通过拍摄沿海地区的图像测试了其科学适用性。计划进行第二次发射，以在实际场景中进一步验证多光谱相机。Bentayga-I和PANDORA的集成对于未来低成本立方星任务而言呈现出了有前景的成果。
