publications

journal articles

2023

1. 

   Development of an Empirical Model of the Force between Paramagnetic Particles in Uniform Magnetic Field on M-type Asteroids

   Anmol Sikka, Ian DesJardin, Thomas Leps, and 1 more author

   Jul 2023

   Abs Bib

   M-type asteroids may have remanent magnetic fields. Regolith particles on M-type asteroids are likely to have metallic components, causing them to be paramagnetic and respond to an external magnetic field. Paramagnetic particles placed in an external magnetic field are influenced by induced magnetic moments of neighboring particles. Therefore, the magnetic force between regolith particles on an M-type asteroid can change the net cohesion of the regolith. Previous works have shown the influence of cohesive forces in the evolution of rubble-pile asteroids. This work characterizes the magnetic force between regolith particles on M-type asteroids. We implement existing models of the magnetic force between paramagnetic particles placed in an external magnetic field and then present an empirical model of this force for two magnetic field orientations as an essential step toward a general semiempirical model that the wider planetary science community can more easily use to investigate the significance of this force.

   @article{sikka_development_2023,
     title = {Development of an Empirical Model of the Force between Paramagnetic Particles in Uniform Magnetic Field on M-type Asteroids},
     volume = {4},
     issn = {2632-3338},
     doi = {10.3847/PSJ/ace323},
     pages = {129},
     number = {7},
     journaltitle = {The Planetary Science Journal},
     shortjournal = {Planet. Sci. J.},
     author = {Sikka, Anmol and {DesJardin}, Ian and Leps, Thomas and Hartzell, Christine},
     year = {2023},
     month = jul,
     date = {2023-07-26},
     langid = {english},
     bibtex_show = {true},
     preview = {sikka_develop_2023.jpeg}
   }

conference proceedings

2024

1. LPSC 2024

   Extending LIGGGHTS to Perform Discrete Element Method Simulations of Mass Wasting Events in Uniform Magnetic Field on Psyche (16)-Like Metallic Bodies

   A. Sikka, and C. Hartzell

   Mar 2024

   Abs

   We present a magnetic force model implemented in LIGGGHTS, an open-source Discrete Element Modeling software, along with results of possible avalanching on metallic bodies like Psyche.

2023

1. ACM 2023

   Empirical Model of the Force Between Paramagnetic Particles in Uniform Magnetic Field on M-Type Asteroids

   A. Sikka, and C. Hartzell

   Mar 2023

   Abs

   We present an empirical model to calculate the force between two paramagnetic particles in a uniform magnetic field, an essential step to our aim to develop a reliable and fast model for surface morphology simulations (DEM) for M-type asteroids.

2. SmallSatTech

   Sanket—Technology Demonstration of Antenna Deployment System on PSLV Stage 4 Orbital Platform

   K. Jagdale, M. Munjal, P. Kurrey, and 28 more authors

   Apr 2023

   Abs

   An Antenna Deployment System has become an essential component of any pico- or nano-satellite design due to space constraints during launch. The Sanket mission is a technology demonstration designed to be flown on the Indian Space Research Organization’s PSLV Stage 4 Orbital Platform (PS4-OP) (Announcement of opportunity for orbital platform. Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore [1]) and aims to qualify the team’s Antenna Deployment System in Ultra High Frequency band to a TRL-7 (Technology Readiness Level) in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Sanket, i.e. the complete system, comprises an ADS and an auxiliary system. The purpose of the auxiliary system is to test the ADS on PS4-OP simulating a 1U CubeSat mission life cycle and conditions. Sanket will be mounted on PS4-OP which remains in LEO for around 6 months. Our Antenna Deployment System is developed as an independent module that is compatible with standard CubeSat sizes 1U, 2U and 3U.

3. Ascend 2023

   SIZLE: Smallsat to Image Zodiacal Light Above Ecliptic

   Melissa Buys, Evan H. Feinberg, Jonathon Gabriel, and 16 more authors

   Oct 2023

   Abs

   This paper presents the mission design of SIZLE (SmallSat to Image Zodiacal Light Above the Ecliptic), a pioneering endeavor tailored for NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers Program. SIZLE’s main science mission will aim to address fundamental questions outlined in the Decadal Strategy for Planetary Science and Astrobiology 2023-2032. The primary objective of this mission is to enhance our understanding of interplanetary dust grains by capturing imagery of the zodiacal light. Furthermore, SIZLE aims to demonstrate the viability of solar sails as a propulsion system for reaching remote observation points above the ecliptic. The continuous thrust generated by solar winds equips spacecraft with the capability for extended missions requiring substantial changes in velocity. While practical realization of SIZLE’s trajectory demands advancements in solar sail materials and technology, solar sails offer an enticing avenue for achieving SIZLE’s mission objectives. This paper documents the mission and spacecraft design. The designed trajectory will put the spacecraft in a 30 degree inclined heliocentric orbit with a 1 AU semi-major axis. This final orbit maximises the science imaging capabilities of the mission. All scientific instruments and components on the spacecraft have been chosen as commercial off the shelf (COTS) components. This choice minimizes the time needed to manufacture the spacecraft since minimal integration and testing would be needed. The greatest technological development required for SIZLE would be advancements in solar sail technology.

2022

1. LPSC 2022

   Characterizing Magnetic Force Between Paramagnetic Particles of Magnetic Asteroids

   A. Sikka, I. DesJardin, and C. Hartzell

   Mar 2022

   Abs

   The paper characterizes the role of the magnetic force on metallic asteroids with remnant magnetic fields by developing an empirical fit to compute the force.

2021

1. Scitech 2021

   Survey and Analysis of Payloads for Missions on PSLV’s Orbital Platform

   Aniruddha R. Ranade, Anmol Sikka, Sanskriti Bhansali, and 29 more authors

   Jan 2021

   Abs

   In this paper, prospects of the utilization of the 4th stage of ISRO’s PSLV, after the completion of the launch mission, as an orbital platform, to host scientific payloads have been discussed. Payloads from 4 domains - Technological Demonstration, Earth Observation, Microgravity, Biology Experiments and the associated mission concepts have been surveyed, and comments have been made on their suitability to be launched onboard the orbital platform. Technological challenges in achieving these have been highlighted. Based on this analysis, two technology demonstration missions have been proposed by the team.

2020

1. SmallSatTech

   Quality Assurance Practices for Student Satellite Teams

   Yash Sanghvi, Anmol Sikka, and Aniruddha Ravindra Ranade

   Jan 2020

   Abs

   Pratham, IIT Bombay’s first student satellite was launched on September 26, 2016 onboard PSLV C-35. The intended mission life was of 4 months. The satellite was operational but the mission was not successful as only beacon signal was received and not the downlink signal. During the post-launch analysis, the team realized the importance of maintaining the quality. The IIT Bombay Student Satellite Team then started working on instituting quality assurance and management practices within the team. In the process, we listed and made few guidelines that can be useful for initiating and managing quality assurance in Student Satellite Projects across the world. This paper talks about our initial analysis and then lists down various activities to be performed to assure quality.

2019

1. Learnings from Pratham, First Student Satellite of IIT Bombay

   Aniruddha R. Ranade, Anmol Sikka, Yash Sanghvi, and 7 more authors

   Jan 2019

   Abs

   Pratham, IIT Bombay’s first student satellite, was launched on 26th September 2016. The satellite was operational, but the mission was only 90% successful as only the beacon signal was received and not the downlink signal. After launch, an exhaustive analysis was done to identify possible causes of failure, including a review of the whole journey of the Pratham from conceptualization to launch, to identify all the possible improvements at each stage. This paper gives some generic suggestions and tips which can be incorporated throughout different phases of the project to avoid similar mistakes in future missions.