Monitoring and Control of Each Nanosatellite within a Cluster of Nanosatellites

The key to ElectroMagnets, and Resonant Inductive Coupling (MEMRIC) is the use of low-power electromagnets for relative motion control, a magnetometer for relative distance determination, and a resonant inductive coupling system for power sharing. Traditional satellite buses house all of the major subsystems in one package. Nanosat clustering allows for the distribution of subsystems; each nanosat housing a specific subsystem (functional fractionation). MEMRIC makes this type of clustering possible, allowing a collection of system-specific nanosats to serve as a set of basic functional building blocks. Power collection, communication, navigation, computational, and propulsion units can all be combined to meet various mission requirements, greatly reducing the need for non-recurring design efforts. As new technologies for power, communications, and computation become available, these technologies can be incorporated into standardized nanosat units without the need for redesigning the other units or an entire system. Thus, the capabilities of spacecraft clusters composed of MEMRIC-enabled nanosats can evolve at the pace of technology, without incurring the large costs inherent to redesign of large, complex spacecraft.