Orbiting Earth Camera

The orbital earth camera design can control its attitude and temperature with about two rack units, or 20 by 10 by 10 centimeters, of room for a camera and optics. The camera has a self-sustaining power system (solar cells and battery), thermal control (radiator panels), an attitude control system, a communications system, and an imager to take pictures. The imager computer stores and transmits images as required. The computer uses a ground radio and star-tracking system to receive positioning and image capture commands. This design will help greatly reduce the research and development time for building future CubeSats for imaging and optics.