MAVERIC

MAVERIC [USC]

MAVERIC (Magnetic Vector and Remote Imaging Communication) is a 3U CubeSat developed and built by students at the University of Southern California (USC) and its Space Engineering Research Center (SERC), United States. The spacecraft was developed as part of USC's Department of Astronautical Engineering project curriculum and is intended to demonstrate scientific and technology applications in orbit.

The primary scientific payload consists of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) magnetometers, including internal and deployable sensors, for measurements of the Earth's magnetic field along the spacecraft's orbit. The measurements are intended to be compared with data from existing Earth-observation and magnetic-field modelling missions.

Several technology demonstrations are incorporated into the spacecraft. Holonav is a holographic 3D display intended to demonstrate visualization technology in space, including potential applications for real-time augmented visualization during rendezvous and proximity operations. Astroboard carries a 2D LCD display for evaluating liquid-crystal display technology under space conditions. A B-dot control algorithm uses magnetorquers for spacecraft de-spinning and attitude control, with solar sensors providing input for Sun tracking.

MAVERIC evolved from MAGNETO, a 1.5U CubeSat concept initiated in 2019 and subsequently suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The spacecraft bus and several subsystems are based on designs developed for earlier SERC missions, including Mayflower-Caerus, Aeneas and Dodona. The MAVERIC design incorporates lessons learned from these missions and an extensive laboratory testing programme.

The project is also intended as an academic training programme, involving undergraduate, master's and doctoral students from mechanical, aerospace, electrical, systems, astronautical and computer engineering disciplines. Students participate in the design, integration and testing through courses, research projects and internships. Final integration and environmental testing are conducted at SERC facilities.