Design, Build and Launch of a Small Satellite Based on CubeSat Standards

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Design, Build and Launch of a Small Satellite Based on CubeSat Standards

Maziar Arjomandi and Brad Gibson

Callum Andrew Chartier, Michael John Mackay, Drew Ravalico, Sonja Nicole Russell and Andrew John Wallis

(Commenced: 01-Jan-2010, Concluded: 30-Nov-2010)

arjomandi[1]

Maziar Arjomandi

Brad Gibson

Callum Andrew Chartier

Michael John Mackay

Drew Ravalico

Sonja Nicole Russell

Andrew John Wallis

The project ‘Adelaide University Satellite (AUSAT): design, build and launch of a small satellite based on CubeSat designs’ involved the construction of a picosatellite by five undergraduate engineering students. The project expanded upon the conceptual design of a picosatellite presented in the Adelaide Satellite (AdeSat) project in 2007. The work completed in AdeSat included the conceptual design of electronic systems and the partial manufacture of structural components. The manufacture of electronic systems was not feasible in AdeSat due to the lack of mechatronic engineering expertise and resources.

The primary aims of the project AUSAT were to complete a feasibility study, review the conceptual design of the AdeSat project, manufacture, purchase and test the components needed to demonstrate a functioning CubeSat design. Completion of a CubeSat design demonstrates that the University of Adelaide is actively involved in the development of the space industry within Australia.

The project resulted in the construction of two picosatellites both based on a one unit CubeSat. The primary payload of the satellite was an imaging system as this best demonstrated the functionality of all subsystems. An active attitude determination and control system was developed to orient the camera towards the Earth’s surface. This system included magnetorquers as actuators and a magnetometer and global positioning system receiver as sensors to determine the satellites states. To receive the image an S-band transceiver was selected to communicate with a ground station facility.

The first satellite was a prototype used in testing to validate the structural integrity of the system. The tests required to meet CubeSat standards were random vibrations and thermal vacuum chamber tests. These were conducted within the project and the results confirmed that the AUSAT design would be capable of launch qualification. Additional tests were performed on the solar cells, magnetorquers, battery and transceiver to prove functionality of all satellite components. The AUSAT project successfully designed, manufactured and tested all the components required to demonstrate a functional picosatellite based on CubeSat standards.

Project Sponsors

· The Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund

· Engineers Australia

· BAE Systems

· The Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences – The University of Adelaide

Project Deliverables

Presentation

Final Report

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