Session
Session X: Lessons Learned
Abstract
The AMSAT AO-40 satellite now on orbit contains several experiments controlled through a module called RUDAK. It is presently in an extended GTO orbit with an apogee of about 58,000 km. The primary mission of this satellite is to provide a platform for multiple communications transponders. The RUDAK module provides digital communications functions as well as serving as the controller for most of the exp eriments onboard. This paper focuses on RUDAK and the associated experiments. The RUDAK module is capable of providing a wide variety of digital communications functions and includes dual processors, mass memory and a suite of hardware and DSP modems. It has connectivity to the transponders, main housekeeping computer and to the experiments onboard. To this point in the mission it has been exercised primarily as an experiment controller. The experiments operated through RUDAK include: - two cameras - an equipment set for receiving and measuring GPS signals - a radiation measurement experiment - an experiment to measure HF signal characteristics - two CAN bus temperatures measurement nodes. Interesting and in some cases unique results have been obtained from the GPS, radiation monitor, cameras and temperature measurement nodes. The associated principal investigators are reporting details of those results independently. This paper describes the RUDAK experiment control module, how it was designed and optimized for this mission, how it controls and interacts with the experiments, the software issues associated with this function, operational issues and successful experiment interaction achieved so far. A summary of the results from some of the experiments is included, with emphasis on the unique data, but the focus is on the design and operation of RUDAK as an experiment controller. Information on those design and operational features that have worked well as well those that have provided challenges are included.
AO-40 RUDAK Experiment Controller
The AMSAT AO-40 satellite now on orbit contains several experiments controlled through a module called RUDAK. It is presently in an extended GTO orbit with an apogee of about 58,000 km. The primary mission of this satellite is to provide a platform for multiple communications transponders. The RUDAK module provides digital communications functions as well as serving as the controller for most of the exp eriments onboard. This paper focuses on RUDAK and the associated experiments. The RUDAK module is capable of providing a wide variety of digital communications functions and includes dual processors, mass memory and a suite of hardware and DSP modems. It has connectivity to the transponders, main housekeeping computer and to the experiments onboard. To this point in the mission it has been exercised primarily as an experiment controller. The experiments operated through RUDAK include: - two cameras - an equipment set for receiving and measuring GPS signals - a radiation measurement experiment - an experiment to measure HF signal characteristics - two CAN bus temperatures measurement nodes. Interesting and in some cases unique results have been obtained from the GPS, radiation monitor, cameras and temperature measurement nodes. The associated principal investigators are reporting details of those results independently. This paper describes the RUDAK experiment control module, how it was designed and optimized for this mission, how it controls and interacts with the experiments, the software issues associated with this function, operational issues and successful experiment interaction achieved so far. A summary of the results from some of the experiments is included, with emphasis on the unique data, but the focus is on the design and operation of RUDAK as an experiment controller. Information on those design and operational features that have worked well as well those that have provided challenges are included.
