Design Neutral and Ionic Particles Spectrometer Compatible with CubeSat Technology

There is a growing interest in small satellite technology, which has proven itself as a cheaper, faster, reliable performer in space over the last few years. Small satellite has given an opportunity for non-space countries to gain access to space technology for the first time. The reason being their low cost, develop time, mass. There could be over 250 small satellites shall be launched by the year 2020. The architecture of small satellites being far simpler than large, long life spacecraft built by governmental space agencies provides room for commercial entities to pitch in for their construction. There is a large scope of using Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) components within such a small spacecraft, given their designed lifetime is low. They can be used as excellent technology demonstrators for large missions. The interest is not just for non-space countries, it has grown to attract universities, commercial entities to experiment in space. As we move ahead, the trend is moving towards making it much simpler for schools to gain access to space by simplified technology building. This transformation has the potential of transforming space technology within a very short period, considering the context of the history of satellite development. During summer 2021, I propose to spend two months at the Space Physics and Technology Lab, Department of Astronomy, at the Boston University to conduct research in experimental space physics and space technology.