Feasibility of Intersatellite Communication for CubeSats

Abstract

This paper evaluates the feasibility of CubeSats communication. CubeSats are low-cost and small satellites which were initially designed by students during educational process, but are now launched to conduct space research and for commercial use. Recently, some researchers promote CubeSats to build a wireless communication networks as a low-cost solution with fast deployment feature for remote areas. However, due to the limited size and function of CubeSats, the feasibility is a debate. In this paper, we investigate the initial conditions and requirements for inter satellite links between CubeSats based on existing international regulations. The simulation of orbit movement for groups of Pico and Femto satellite has been made. The feasibility of CubeSat communications has been estimated using the concept of opportunistic networks. The possibility and time duration of inter satellite communication has been calculated using real data. Based on simulation results, suggestions and possible technical solutions were highlighted together with some possible network architecture for future studies and simulations.