Session
Weekend Poster Session 2
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Alpha is a 1U CubeSat developed at Cornell University that deploys a ChipSat-equipped free-flying light sail into LEO. While the payload is rather unique, the spacecraft that deploys it is designed to be adaptable and scalable to future student-led missions. Technology demonstrations include a 3D-printed chassis, entirely commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics, an Iridium modem that bypasses the need for ground-station hardware, and magnetorquer-only spin-stabilization and pointing. This paper details the driving factors behind Alpha’s novel architecture with a focus on the affordable methods developed for design verification and optimization. Drawing inspiration from the maker community, the lab acquired a suite of tools that dramatically increased in-house integration and test capabilities. Lessons are shared from training multiple generations of students on these tools, along with the best-practices developed for student assembly of flight hardware.
The Maker's CubeSat: Increasing Student-lab Capabilities in the Design, Integration & Test of the Alpha CubeSat
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Alpha is a 1U CubeSat developed at Cornell University that deploys a ChipSat-equipped free-flying light sail into LEO. While the payload is rather unique, the spacecraft that deploys it is designed to be adaptable and scalable to future student-led missions. Technology demonstrations include a 3D-printed chassis, entirely commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electronics, an Iridium modem that bypasses the need for ground-station hardware, and magnetorquer-only spin-stabilization and pointing. This paper details the driving factors behind Alpha’s novel architecture with a focus on the affordable methods developed for design verification and optimization. Drawing inspiration from the maker community, the lab acquired a suite of tools that dramatically increased in-house integration and test capabilities. Lessons are shared from training multiple generations of students on these tools, along with the best-practices developed for student assembly of flight hardware.
