Papers by Yasith Ramawickrama
69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), 2018
Mars missions can be seen as a natural step in space exploration, as Earth-like environmental con... more Mars missions can be seen as a natural step in space exploration, as Earth-like environmental conditions and the length of the interplanetary flight are the most crucial for planetary exploration compared to other celestial bodies of the Solar System. On the other hand, these missions require detailed planning and worldwide collaboration, because of the need of extremely high financial resources and technical capabilities. Many researches focused on different aspects of Mars missions are being conducted in these recent years. They include flight preparation, lift-off, interplanetary journey, habitat and Life Support Systems (LSS) design, Extravehicular Activities (EVA), precise landing, planetary exploration, etc. This paper summarizes identified safety issues that can arise during future Mars missions. Based on the analysis of previous studies, where conditions of the interplanetary flight were studied, including environmental issues, Mars habitat and the spacecraft design were discussed and the spacesuit concept was analyzed, the most critical hazards have been defined and the whole mission has been taken into consideration. In particular, possible failures and hazards for the habitat on Mars, space station and spacesuit, including off-nominal situations and their influence on the safety of the astronauts have been investigated. This work is based on the results of previous projects carried out within the Space Generation Advisory Council's (SGAC) Space Safety and Sustainability project group, which aims to bring an international and interdisciplinary vision to this topic and discuss it from different perspectives, creating a foundation for further studies on safety risk assessment. Technological gaps are identified for further discussion and possible solutions for risks reduction are proposed with regard to onboard systems (including LSS) and layout design.
4th IAA Conference on University Satellite Missions and CubeSat Workshop, 2017
This review research examined technical papers covering engineering topics related to small satel... more This review research examined technical papers covering engineering topics related to small satellites. Papers were selected based on the use case or concept of the spacecraft they pertained to. Papers reviewed focused on niche use cases or concepts, defined for the purposes of this research as those use cases or concepts where no spacecraft filling that use case has ever been launched. From these niches, this review research examined the technical aspects of the use cases which have been explored and become understood, and isolated those which had not, especially those indicated in research papers as areas needing development in order to realize a functioning spacecraft. This review focused particularly on trade studies, mission planning analyses, and analyses of obvious required hardware for mission realization. Several major unsolved engineering problems associated with niche use cases were found, and the specifics of their engineering problems were enumerated where possible.
Research gate, 2018
SGAC Find an Asteroid 2018 was organized by Space generation Advisory council and it was technica... more SGAC Find an Asteroid 2018 was organized by Space generation Advisory council and it was technically facilitated by International Astronomical Search Collaboration at Hardin Simmons University, Texas, USA. It was held in between 31st of October and 28th of November, 2016. 22 CCD image sets consist of 4 images (.fits) per image set which were taken from 1.5 Gigapixel (GPC2) camera equipped with Pan-STARRS 2 telescope (1.8 m Ritchey–Chrétien telescope located at Haleakala Observatories near the summit of Haleakala in Hawaii) along the plane of ecliptic in the night sky were analyzed during the period of time using Astrometrica software. Both automatic and manual modes were used to identify moving objects in the image sets and their photometric and physical characteristics were evaluated to identify True-signatures. False - signatures were eliminated by this process. Identified True-Signatures were cross-checked with existing preliminary and provisional discoveries in the MPCORB database managed by International Astronomical Union in for identification of new preliminary asteroids. Observation reports (MPC reports) of new preliminary discoveries were made according to the format given by IASC. Then the reports were sent to IASC for confirmation of preliminary and provisional discoveries. 6 Main-belt Asteroids designated as P20K3yl, P20K3yp, P20JTVL, P20JUaY, P20JUei, P20JUWl were discovered under the preliminary discovery status and the photometric and orbital characteristics of these objects will be further studied at the provisional stage and then to fully determine their orbits
Conference Presentations by Yasith Ramawickrama
3rd Asia Pacific Space Generation Workshop (3rd AP-SGW), 2016
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Papers by Yasith Ramawickrama
Conference Presentations by Yasith Ramawickrama