(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2023-08)
Smith, Celeste R.; Cheek, Nathan; Burnside, Christopher; Baker, John; Adell, Philippe; Picha, Frank; Kowalkowski, Matthew; Lightsey, E. Glenn
The Lunar Flashlight Propulsion System (LFPS) was developed as a technology demonstration to enable
the Lunar Flashlight spacecraft to reach Lunar orbit and to desaturate onboard reaction wheels. While the
system produced over 16 m/s of delta-v and successfully managed momentum, variable thrust performance,
most likely due to debris in the propellant flow path, kept the spacecraft from reaching the Moon. This
paper details the in-flight journey of the LFPS, highlighting both successes and challenges met throughout
the mission, and provides lessons learned applicable to future CubeSat missions and additively manufactured
propulsion systems.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2022-08)
Cheek, Nathan; Gonzalez, Collin; Adell, Philippe; Baker, John; Ryan, Chad; Statham, Shannon; Lightsey, E. Glenn; Smith, Celeste R. R.; Awald, Conner; Ready, W. Jud
Lunar Flashlight is a 6U CubeSat launching in late 2022 or early 2023 that will search for surface water
ice content in permanently shadowed regions at the south pole of the Moon using infrared relative reflectance
spectroscopy. The mission will act as a technology demonstration of an Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-
Toxic (ASCENT) green propulsion system and active laser spectroscopy within the CubeSat form-factor.
This paper provides an overview of the entire Systems Integration and Test campaign which took place at
the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Georgia Institute of Technology. From initial testing of the isolated
avionics and payload subsystems to the final tests with a fully integrated spacecraft, the project’s integration
and test campaign is reviewed, with a focus on lessons learned.