Feasibility assessment of a small Earth observation satellite mission propelled with hydrogen peroxide system on a very low Earth orbit

Earth observation (EO) is a popular mission objective of satellite systems. A typical optical EO satellite occupies a LEO orbit which allows to achieve resolutions required for their applications with optics that fits in a medium-sized bus. One of the alternatives is a small satellite with a propulsion module operating on a very low Earth orbit (VLEO.) While this approach has a number of challenges, it can result in small, low-price satellites capable of achieving resolutions comparable with standard EO satellites on LEO orbit. This paper describes the satellite platform that can potentially be used in the VLEO orbit. Image quality and observation instrument aspects as well as an impact of VLEO orbit on a mission design and its cost are discussed. Justification of a propulsion concept follows, and a parametric model of propulsion module is described. A mission analysis estimating mission durations at VLEO is described and results are discussed.