BOREALIS: a multidisciplinary CubeSat mission to investigate biofilm radioprotection and particle interaction in space

BOREALIS is a 6U CubeSat mission funded by the Italian Space Agency within the ALCOR programme and being developed by Bologna University, the School of Aerospace Engineering of Sapienza University of Rome and Kayser Italia Srl. In this paper, we implement model-based systems engineering on the 6U CubeSat concept design and select appropriate mission profiles to pursue the project objectives. The primary scientific goal of BOREALIS is to assess the combined impact of microgravity and ionizing radiation onto the growth and evolution of genetically modified microbial biofilms. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy, the mission will offer unprecedented insights into biofilm dynamics, cell-cell interactions in a space environment, and the effectiveness of radioprotection strategies, including both physical shielding and a novel bioinspired pharmacological treatment using melanin nanoparticles. To achieve this goal, the BOREALIS CubeSat will be deployed in LEO, where the shielding by the geomagnetic field leads to a dominant effect of microgravity and will be later transferred to a MEO of altitude of 2000 km, enabling an extensive examination of the effects of increased radiation exposure. This mission profile will also allow pursuing a secondary mission objective, within nuclear science, by investigating different shielding techniques. The mission analysis and selection of propulsion system for the BOREALIS CubeSat have been conducted to select the best configuration of the system and fulfill the mission's requirements. Eventually, the trade-off analysis of the BOREALIS CubeSat, utilizing the Valispace software, Monte Carlo analysis, and sensitivity analysis is presented to achieve the best concept by analyzing multiple utilities versus cost.