Session
Technical Session VII: 12th Annual Frank J. Redd Student Competition
Abstract
In the last fifteen years, small satellites have opened a window through which the aerospace industry can rapidly access low earth orbit at a fraction of the cost required by large spacecrafts. Due to its extensive experience with the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), Utah State University (USU) has given students the opportunity to experience the design of such small satellites, nanosatellites or micro-satellites in technical terms. Through the University Nanosat programs organized mainly by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), USU students have now been involved in two satellite designs since 1999. The author has been and is contributing to both programs. The current program, USUsat 2, has been partially derived from the experience of the previous USUsat I/ION-F program. This paper deals with the USUsat 2 design and more specifically on the manufacturing side and the structure for a modular platform. The author, who has been working as the chief engineer for the program, proposes an approach with a modular design with new structure. The design is intended by the author to have the capability of becoming a micro-satellite platform that future programs could reuse with a minimum amount of upgrade.
Presentation Slides
Structure Design for Modular Platform and Capability on the USUsat 2 Micro-satellite
In the last fifteen years, small satellites have opened a window through which the aerospace industry can rapidly access low earth orbit at a fraction of the cost required by large spacecrafts. Due to its extensive experience with the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), Utah State University (USU) has given students the opportunity to experience the design of such small satellites, nanosatellites or micro-satellites in technical terms. Through the University Nanosat programs organized mainly by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), USU students have now been involved in two satellite designs since 1999. The author has been and is contributing to both programs. The current program, USUsat 2, has been partially derived from the experience of the previous USUsat I/ION-F program. This paper deals with the USUsat 2 design and more specifically on the manufacturing side and the structure for a modular platform. The author, who has been working as the chief engineer for the program, proposes an approach with a modular design with new structure. The design is intended by the author to have the capability of becoming a micro-satellite platform that future programs could reuse with a minimum amount of upgrade.
