Integrated Communication Extension Capability (ICE-Cap)

• Main Authors: Yoo, Peter, Obukhov, Dmitriy, Mroczek, Austin
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@USU 2015
• Subjects: Pacific; Ice cap
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/smallsat/2015/all2015/19; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3183&context=smallsat

Nanosatellite technology made it possible for universities, commercial industries and government agencies to develop low cost and responsive satellites. However, one of the limitations of this technology is the communications shortfalls. The Navy SPAWAR System Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), with support from the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems (PEOSS), is developing the Integrated Communication Extension Capability (ICE-Cap) satellite, a 3U CubeSat, to demonstrate a cross-link from a CubeSat in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to a Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite in geosynchronous orbit in order to instantaneously relay information to a terrestrial data network, which will be a solution to the communications shortfalls. The ICE-Cap will also demonstrate the relay of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) from the poles using a CubeSat and will mature and miniaturize space vehicle components such as radio, antenna, and other technologies for potential responsive UHF SATCOM missions. The ICE-Cap is scheduled to launch into sun-synchronous, LEO orbit in December 2015. For back-up communication method, there is a dedicated ground station (GS) in San Diego, CA that provides a line-of-sight communication to the satellite. All development and testing is expected to be completed by September 2015 and delivery of the flight-ready unit to the launch provider will take place in October 2015.