Thayer School’s Modular Approach to Micro-Satellite

Design

Student Initiated Project

• Fall 1999, idea presented to develop small satellite for HAM radio communications

• Effort expanded to become ongoing program of spacecraft design at Thayer School

• Currently 8 students

DARTSat Student Team Members

DARTSat Student Team Members

Michael D. Ferchak – B.E. Todd E. Kerner – M.D./Ph.D. Kevin M. Tompsett – B.A.  Augustus S. Moore – M.E.M. Amish Parashar – Class of 2003Courtney A. Vanyo – M.E.M. Jason J. Warren – M.E.M Shyam L. Yadati – B.E. 

Project Concept

• Modular design

• Provide platform for research and educational opportunities

• Communications capabilities for HAM radio operation

Stanford / CalPoly CubeSat Program Offers Thayer School Opportunity to Reach Into Space

Rendering from Stanford CubeSat Website

Deployment Vehicle

System Level Specifications

• 10 cm Cube prior to deployment

• Weight < 2 kg

• Approximately 1 year orbital life

• Battery/Solar Cell power system

• Satellite to Ground direct communication

• Standardized Bus capable of operating generic experiments/modules.

DARTSat Services Bus

• A functional base module providing– Control and Data Handling– Power– Radio/Communications

• Approximately 2/3 total mass and volume of satellite

Opportunity

• Opportunity for student and faculty to conduct research/experiments in a Low-Earth Orbit space environment.– Faculty research– Graduate research– Student B.E. projects

• Continuing design and testing opportunities for CPR module.

Structural Design Stresses Modularity

Possible Payloads

• Auroral Research• Low Earth Plasma Environment Mapping• Unique GPS Applications• Zero Gravity Micro-Machine Testing• Distributed Research and Communications

Constellations• High School Designed Learning

Experiences (no mice!!!)

Satellite Block Diagram

Communications

• Use of amateur radio frequencies

• Developing relationship with amateur radio community

• Working with the Amateur Satellite organization (AMSAT)

Satellite Orbit

Base-Station

• Base-Station currently exists at Thayer School with appropriate transmission power and frequencies.

• Minor additions to enable microprocessor control and operation.

Funding For This Program…

• New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium

• Industry Sponsors and Partners– Lockheed Sanders

• Viewers Like You

Spring Timeline

Associated Faculty

Edmond S. Cooley, Assistant Professor

Francis E. Kennedy, Professor

James W. Labelle, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics

Marc Lessard,

William Lotko, Professor

Clayton M. Okino, Assistant Professor

Thayer School’s Modular Approach to Micro-Satellite

Design