The main directions of research and development of BSTU «VOENMEH» named after D. F. Ustinov on the subject of small spacecraft and some results

The development of small spacecrafts requires the solution of a number of new scientific and technical problems. The main directions of research and development of the Baltic State Technical University «VOENMEH» named after D. F .Ustinov on solving the problems of creating small spacecrafts, deploying and maintaining orbital constellations of the small spacecrafts, and managing orbital groupings are presented. Some results of these works are presented, in particular, the preliminary design of a small space tug with an innovative two-component gas rocket engine powered by oxygen and hydrogen, operated in conjunction with an ultralight class launch vehicle. Small space tug solves the problems of interorbital transportation of the small spacecrafts. It has no analogues in the russian rocket and space technology. Variants of ballistically coupled groups of small spacecrafts are presented that can ensure the formation of a stable quasi-stationary distributed aperture in orbits in order to increase the efficiency of space communication systems and remote sensing of the Earth. The development of an innovative actuator – a two-axis rotary platform based on piezoelectric drives is presented. This device significantly exceeds traditional electromechanical devices based on electric drives in terms of weight, dimensions, dynamic characteristics and other parameters. The variants of the application of this rotary platform as part of the service and target systems of the small spacecrafts are considered. It is shown how this can provide a significant increase in the tactical and technical characteristics of the small spacecrafts.