Phases B e-INSPECTOR

Objective(s):•the phase B for the whole mission was needed to consolidate its feasibility with attention to:•Image processing software\hardware chain in the visible and infrared bands to reconstruct the target debris and feed the relative navigation chain•Electric propulsion performance on the upgraded thruster version assessment and verification to support the specific mission analysis needs•The whole subsystem design refinement to de-risk the design, when needed.

Achievements and status:•The hardware architetture for the image processing, navigation, control and data handling has been defined and selected•The image processing on visual and infrared bands based for navigation software has been successfully developed and ported on the engineering models of the flight equipment•The processor and hardware in the loop tests for the image processing were successfully performed•The facility for the electrict thurster testing has been settled and tests started•The subsystems design definition was performed, further consolidating the design•The feasibility of the mission against the new re-entry rules (<5 years) was demonstrated. Benefits:•The Image processing chain implementation on the future flight hardware makes e.Inspector CubeSat mission feasible and represents a technology   available for similar scenarios with proximity phases. It could also become a market product for autonomous navigation, imaging based.•The high total impulse electric thruster development is a tech beneficial for a broad set of other small sats missions (achieved at 40% end of phase B)