CubeSat Mission Design to Measure Localized Magnetic Fields on Martian Surface Utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Atmosphere Breathing Electric Propulsion

Understanding the magnetic field present on Mars is vital for assessing potential habitable locations. Unlike Earth, Mars lacks a global magnetic field, leaving the surface exposed to harmful radiation. Localized magnetic anomalies in the crust have been identified around Martian craters and volcanoes, likely due to remnants of a once active global magnetic field on Mars. These anomalies may offer localized protection from radiation creating small pockets of potentially habitable spots suitable for future human habitation. Previous satellite missions to Mars including the Mars Global Surveyor (1996) measured magnetic fields but with outdated instruments and therefore collected magnetic field data at a low resolution. Ingenuity, a helicopter which operated on the Martian surface from 2021 to 2024 measured magnetic field data around a localized region of the surface and showed significantly higher magnetic field strength compared to the same region with the Mars Global Surveyor. The objective of this project was to design a 12U CubeSat mission equipped with modern magnetometers to obtain high-resolution magnetic field data by focusing on areas with craters. By orbiting at low altitudes utilizing atmosphere breathing electric propulsion (ABEP) and implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to process and transmit data around areas of interest, the mission aimed to produce detailed magnetic field maps to inform scientific research and human exploration efforts. A mission profile was created where ANSYS Systems Tool Kit was utilized to determine the orbital parameters including the date of launch, arrival to Mars, and the ground track of the orbit which was set between –60 to 60 degrees longitude. The ground track was drawn over these locations due to previous Mars Global Surveyor data showing the higher magnetic field. SolidWorks was used to design the satellite and perform deployer fit and vibration checks using existing CubeSat standards. Keras API and TensorFlow Python libraries were used to create the AI model based on a Convolutional Neural Network which can successfully identify craters to reduce data transmission and focus collected data on these geographical features, ensuring mission success. Thermal Desktop was used to perform thermal analysis on the satellite while in the Mars parking orbit to validate the choice of components and ensure heat loads were not excessive on any internal components and determine effective thermal management techniques at various points in the orbit. The results of the Systems Tool Kit simulations illustrated the mission was effective in its objective to transfer from a sun synchronous orbit to a Martian orbit during the proposed launch and transit window and successfully orbit on the expected ground track. The SolidWorks Simulation results indicated the structure will successfully pass standard vibrational checks as the deformation measured is within the acceptable tolerance allowed by the Nanoracks Cubesat Deployer. The AI results indicated the program is able to successfully identify craters compared to other geographical features with high accuracy and in real time. The Thermal Desktop results indicated the thermal management of the satellite is effective in preventing excess heating and cooling of components. The satellite design drew from several heritage missions and modernized the technology while integrating advanced instrumentation, robust orbital mechanics, and sustainable propulsion technologies to collect critical data to contribute to the search of habitable areas on Mars. Additionally, through these software and simulations, this project proved the potential and value of interplanetary CubeSat missions as well as demonstrated the capabilities of ABEP in low-altitude Mars parking orbits.