{"id":{"repo_id":"vt","oai_identifier":"oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/56602"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/vt/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/56602","repository":{"repo_id":"vt","name":"Virginia Tech","base_url":"https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"A Framework for Validation and Testing of a CubeSat Retarding Potential Analyzer","abstract":"Traditionally, Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) operate exclusively on large satellites due to the size, power, and mass constraints posed by nano-satellites like CubeSats. These sensors take in-situ measurements of Earth's atmospheric ion current during a range of time-varied ``retarding\" voltage steps. Curve-fitting the retarding voltage versus collected current data provides derived measurements of ion density, ram velocity, and temperature. In order to successfully miniaturize these instruments and validate their performance prior to launch, thorough calibration and comprehensive end-to-end testing must be performed. This paper discusses the difficulties of performing complete system validation in ground-based vacuum chamber testing for RPAs. A procedure for RPA instrument calibration will be presented along with the calibration results for the Lower Atmosphere/Ionosphere Coupling Experiment (LAICE) CubeSat RPA. This paper presents a user-friendly and robust software control suite developed to read, parse, and interpret the data from the LAICE RPA. Electronics noise testing and analysis defines the performance boundaries of the instrument electronics. End-to-end testing of the LAICE RPA with a hot-filament ion source simulating the space plasma verifies the function of the LAICE RPA sensor and electronics, as well as the software control, thus qualifying the instrument for on-orbit use.","abstract_html":"Traditionally, Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) operate exclusively on large satellites due to the size, power, and mass constraints posed by nano-satellites like CubeSats. These sensors take in-situ measurements of Earth's atmospheric ion current during a range of time-varied ``retarding" voltage steps. Curve-fitting the retarding voltage versus collected current data provides derived measurements of ion density, ram velocity, and temperature. In order to successfully miniaturize these instruments and validate their performance prior to launch, thorough calibration and comprehensive end-to-end testing must be performed. This paper discusses the difficulties of performing complete system validation in ground-based vacuum chamber testing for RPAs. A procedure for RPA instrument calibration will be presented along with the calibration results for the Lower Atmosphere/Ionosphere Coupling Experiment (LAICE) CubeSat RPA. This paper presents a user-friendly and robust software control suite developed to read, parse, and interpret the data from the LAICE RPA. Electronics noise testing and analysis defines the performance boundaries of the instrument electronics. End-to-end testing of the LAICE RPA with a hot-filament ion source simulating the space plasma verifies the function of the LAICE RPA sensor and electronics, as well as the software control, thus qualifying the instrument for on-orbit use.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Noel, Stephen Elliott"],"institution":"Virginia Tech","degree_name":"Master of Science","degree_level":"masters","degree_discipline":"Aerospace Engineering","degree_department":"Aerospace and Ocean Engineering","school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":["Earle, Gregory D.","Woolsey, Craig A."],"committee_members":["Shinpaugh, Kevin A."],"year":2015,"date_issued":"2015-09-03","date_published":"2015-09-03","updated_at":"2026-07-22T22:18:46Z","subjects":["Space Plasma","Ion Energy Spectrum","Calibration","Retarding Potential Analyzer","Spacecraft"],"languages":[],"rights":["In Copyright"],"rights_urls":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:6301"],"render_values":[{"text":"vt_gsexam:6301","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":"http://hdl.handle.net/10919/56602","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.committeechair","label":"Committee Chair","values":["Earle, Gregory D.","Woolsey, Craig A."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.committeemember","label":"Committee Member","values":["Shinpaugh, Kevin A."]},{"key":"dc:contributor.department","label":"Department","values":["Aerospace and Ocean Engineering"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Noel, Stephen Elliott"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2015-09-18T20:10:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2015-09-18T20:10:07Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2015-09-03"]},{"key":"dc:publisher","label":"Institution","values":["Virginia Tech"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Aerospace Engineering"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["masters"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"thesis:institution_name","label":"Thesis Institution Name","values":["Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Space Plasma","Ion Energy Spectrum","Calibration","Retarding Potential Analyzer","Spacecraft"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["In Copyright"]},{"key":"dc:rights.uri","label":"Rights URI","values":["http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.other","label":"Dc Identifier Other","values":["vt_gsexam:6301"]},{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["http://hdl.handle.net/10919/56602"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Traditionally, Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) operate exclusively on large satellites due to the size, power, and mass constraints posed by nano-satellites like CubeSats. These sensors take in-situ measurements of Earth's atmospheric ion current during a range of time-varied ``retarding\" voltage steps. Curve-fitting the retarding voltage versus collected current data provides derived measurements of ion density, ram velocity, and temperature. In order to successfully miniaturize these instruments and validate their performance prior to launch, thorough calibration and comprehensive end-to-end testing must be performed. This paper discusses the difficulties of performing complete system validation in ground-based vacuum chamber testing for RPAs. A procedure for RPA instrument calibration will be presented along with the calibration results for the Lower Atmosphere/Ionosphere Coupling Experiment (LAICE) CubeSat RPA. This paper presents a user-friendly and robust software control suite developed to read, parse, and interpret the data from the LAICE RPA. Electronics noise testing and analysis defines the performance boundaries of the instrument electronics. End-to-end testing of the LAICE RPA with a hot-filament ion source simulating the space plasma verifies the function of the LAICE RPA sensor and electronics, as well as the software control, thus qualifying the instrument for on-orbit use."]},{"key":"dc:description.degree","label":"Dc Description Degree","values":["Master of Science"]},{"key":"dc:format.medium","label":"Dc Format Medium","values":["ETD"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["A Framework for Validation and Testing of a CubeSat Retarding Potential Analyzer"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.committeechair":["Earle, Gregory D.","Woolsey, Craig A."],"dc:contributor.committeemember":["Shinpaugh, Kevin A."],"dc:contributor.department":["Aerospace and Ocean Engineering"],"dc:creator":["Noel, Stephen Elliott"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2015-09-18T20:10:07Z"],"dc:date.available":["2015-09-18T20:10:07Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2015-09-03"],"dc:description.abstract":["Traditionally, Retarding Potential Analyzers (RPAs) operate exclusively on large satellites due to the size, power, and mass constraints posed by nano-satellites like CubeSats. 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