INSPIRE: Interplanetary NanoSpacecraft Pathfinder in Relevant Environment

Abstract

The INSPIRE project would demonstrate the revolutionary capability of deep space CubeSats by placing two nanospacecraft in Earth-escape orbit.Prior to any inclusion on larger planetary missions, CubeSats must demonstrate that they can operate, communicate, and be navigated far from Earth -these are the primary objectives of INSPIRE.Spacecraft components, such as a JPL X-band radio and a robust watchdog system, would provide the basis for future high-capability, lower-cost-risk missions beyond Earth.These components should enable future supplemental science and educational opportunities at many destinations.The nominal INSPIRE mission would last for three months and achieve an expected Earth-probe distance of 1.5x10 8 km (dependent upon escape velocity as neither spacecraft will have propulsion capability).The project would monitor onboard telemetry; operate, communicate, and navigate with both spacecraft; demonstrate cross-link communications; and demonstrate science utility with an onboard magnetometer and imager.Lessons learned from this pathfinder mission should help to inform future interplanetary NanoSpacecraft and larger missions that might use NanoSpacecraft components.