UH PueoSat Course (Fall 2009)

Week 11 - Semester Wrap Up

Submitted by j.akagi on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 7:33pm

In groups, students completed formal wrap-up presentations explaining some concepts they learned throughout the semester as well as where their interests lie in regards to future projects and/or research.

Week 10 - Integration Lab

Submitted by j.akagi on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 9:20pm

Session started with students fully integrating EyasSat, including subsystem stack and structure. Separation switch was then physically tested by temporarily suspending EyasSat. Students then simulated freefall environment and tested use of reaction wheel and torque rods to change orientation of EyasSat.

Week 9 - Thermal Lab

Submitted by j.akagi on Tue, 11/17/2009 - 4:56pm

Lab session began with students observing starting temperatures of subsystems' components. Using the halogen lamp, students then mimicked sun exposure scenario and observed the increases in voltage, current, and temperature to EyasSat solar panel. Students waited for solar panel to reach new thermal equilibrium and observed final temperature difference. Alternative experiment was similar to first, except students observed temperature fluctuations to both EyasSat thermal panels through telemetry.

Week 8 - Thermal

Submitted by j.akagi on Sun, 11/08/2009 - 4:04pm

Students were introduced to significance of Thermal Control Subsystem by learning of average space temperature as well as maximum and minimum orbital temperatures. Students then learned of the three common heat transfer processes and their relevance to controlling a satellite's thermal conditions in space.

Week 1 - Introduction to Satellites

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:40pm

Students were involved in a discussion which emphasized some fundamental facts of satellites. Some of the facts discussed included the true definition of a satellite, a description of the first man-made satellite ever created, the evolutionary stages of satellite development, and the many purposes that satellites have in today's world.

Other satellite related concepts covered included an explanation on how the Global Positioning System (GPS) operates, as well as a description of the different, distant-varying types of orbit.

Week 2 - Subsystems Overview + Structures

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:39pm

Students were first given an overview of subsystems followed by a brief description of each of the main subsystems of a satellite. An explanation of a system bus was then given along with its relevance to subsystems. Diagrams and analogies were used to help soldify the student's understanding of these concepts.

Week 3 - Electrical Power Subsystem

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:39pm

Session began with group briefly reading how Electrical Power Subsystems (EPS) were designed and implemented for previous SmallSat projects. A collaborative discussion then followed, describing the fundamental power functions a standard EPS needs to perform. Examples of devices and circuit elements, which handle each specific power function, were also discussed to emphasize their usefulness in real-life application.

Week 4 - Electrical Power Subsystem Lab

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:38pm

Students accomplished a series of hands-on experiments on the EPS, working collaboratively within their groups. Lab began with students familiarizing themselves with the physical structure of the EPS and its components. A brief comparison was then made between the physical structure of the EPS and its block diagram.

Week 5 - Command & Data Handling + Lab

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:38pm

Discussion began with students learning some fundamental responsibilities of the CDH subsystem, as well as some qualities of an optimal CDH subsystem. Students briefly read about some design methods for the CDH subsystems of past UH SmallSat projects. For the sake of comparison, students were then shown pictures of some of the hardware used for the CDH subsystems of large and small satellite systems, before interacting with that of the EyasSat.

Week 6 - Communications + Attitude Determination & Control

Submitted by j.akagi on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 5:37pm

Communications (COMM) subsystem was covered first. Students learned the primary function of this subsystem as well as components that are typically found within it. A variety of COMM-related concepts were then covered in slight detail including antennas, signal modulation (such as frequency and amplitude modulation, i.e. FM/AM), signal amplification,and transponders. Analogies were used for each of these concepts for relativity purposes.

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