The multi-physics analysis, design and testing of CUSP, a CubeSat mission for space weather and solar flares x-ray polarimetry

TL;DR

The paper details the multi-physics design, analysis, and testing processes for the CUSP CubeSat mission, which aims to measure solar flare X-ray polarization to advance space weather understanding.

Contribution

It presents the current design solutions and multi-physics analyses for CUSP, including structural design, finite element analysis, and environmental testing planning.

Findings

Structural design solutions meet system requirements

Finite element analyses validate mechanical integrity

Environmental testing plans are in place for mission validation

Abstract

The space-based CUbesat Solar Polarimeter (CUSP) mission aims to measure the linear polarization of solar flares in the hard X-ray band by means of a Compton scattering polarimeter. CUSP is a project in the framework of the Alcor Program of the Italian Space Agency aimed at developing new CubeSat missions. As part of CUSP's Phase B study, which began in December 2024 and will last one year, we present the current development status of the design solutions adopted for the mission's most critical multi-physics design drivers. These solutions have been formulated and applied to demonstrate compliance with system requirements at both the spacecraft and platform levels. In particular, we describe the mechanical design of each structural component, the results of static, dynamic finite element analyses, and a proposal for topological optimization of the interface between the platform and payload and some fixture for test, and the preliminary environmental testing campaign (e.g., vibration, shock) that will be carried out on a mechanical demonstrator.