Session
Technical Session XII: The Next Generation
Abstract
CubeSats are fast becoming recognized as key elements of a satellite portfolio. Industry, academia, and government agencies are all participating in the development of these micro-satellite platforms for use as operational systems, testbeds, or as learning tools for young engineers. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Electronics Branch (RVSE) participates in the AFRL Space Scholar and Phillips Scholar programs which promotes mentoring young engineering students by AFRL/RVSE staff. As part of this program RVSE provides ideas for projects that the students will work on during their summer at the laboratory. This idea list includes the development of components that could be used for CubeSats and can range from the structure itself to individual modules that can be used across multiple missions. The primary goal was to provide solid engineering experience using real-world examples with useable hardware or designs as the output. This would give the students a quick emersion into the engineering process complete with reviews and documentation. A group of eighteen students ranging from juniors in high school to graduate students in engineering were assembled. The group developed several ideas that can be used for future CubeSat missions. In this paper we will describe a subset of the overall group of ideas.
Presentation Slides
CubeSat Components: A Collection of Ideas from AFRL Space & Phillips Scholars
CubeSats are fast becoming recognized as key elements of a satellite portfolio. Industry, academia, and government agencies are all participating in the development of these micro-satellite platforms for use as operational systems, testbeds, or as learning tools for young engineers. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Electronics Branch (RVSE) participates in the AFRL Space Scholar and Phillips Scholar programs which promotes mentoring young engineering students by AFRL/RVSE staff. As part of this program RVSE provides ideas for projects that the students will work on during their summer at the laboratory. This idea list includes the development of components that could be used for CubeSats and can range from the structure itself to individual modules that can be used across multiple missions. The primary goal was to provide solid engineering experience using real-world examples with useable hardware or designs as the output. This would give the students a quick emersion into the engineering process complete with reviews and documentation. A group of eighteen students ranging from juniors in high school to graduate students in engineering were assembled. The group developed several ideas that can be used for future CubeSat missions. In this paper we will describe a subset of the overall group of ideas.
