Session
Poster Session 1
Location
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Abstract
This paper discusses an overview of the CySat-1 mission, actions taken between its launch and deployment from the ISS, and issues identified in design that impacted the spacecraft’s performance until its re-entry in early January of 2025. The CySat-1 mission was the demonstration of a software-defined radio (SDR) total power radiometer to survey soil moisture. The successful demonstration of the SDR radiometer would have provided basis for future implementation by the SmallSat community by providing an easily customizable radiometer with increased performance versatility. The CySat-1 mission is part of Iowa State University’s (ISU) Make to Innovate (M2I) program, which is project-based learning environment implemented using a flipped classroom approach.
As part M2I program, the CySat-1 project experienced some unique challenges. The most impactful challenges were the CoViD-19 pandemic and the transition from the Spring 2024 to Fall 2024 semesters, each of which saw no continuity between membership. The high turnover rate was also compounded by team members’ lack of knowledge regarding document organization and standardization, which left the project reliant on individually communicated knowledge and skills. As CySat-1 was ISU’s first CubeSat, lack of familiarity with many official procedures and processes caused development delays, errors, and significant team member stress, all of which contributed to team burnout and lack of motivation. The project now has gained knowledge of and formalized best practices targeting addressing reports, certifications, and mission lifecycle phases and reviews.
Ground station hardware and software required updates that generated further complications. Team members required specific training to perform work, but a university wide change from AccessPlus to Workday resulted in a multiple week delay while the training access was approved. This delay significantly reduced the amount of time to repair and test the ground station prior to deployment. It was discovered the antenna that was to be used was damaged, resulting in replacement by a different antenna resulting in decreased signal gain. Internal software was discovered to have logic errors that prevented its use. Lastly, the amplifier available to use with the SDR required to communicate with CySat-1 was one directional, resulting in the team electing to transmit commands and rely on the AmSat community to provide notice of downlink. Hardware updates have been developed to address these issues, and implementation of code reviews and sanity checks have been included for future development in order to prevent similar error recurrence.
Document Type
Event
Concluding CySat-1: A Look at the Final Challenges Faced by Iowa State University's First CubeSat
Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
This paper discusses an overview of the CySat-1 mission, actions taken between its launch and deployment from the ISS, and issues identified in design that impacted the spacecraft’s performance until its re-entry in early January of 2025. The CySat-1 mission was the demonstration of a software-defined radio (SDR) total power radiometer to survey soil moisture. The successful demonstration of the SDR radiometer would have provided basis for future implementation by the SmallSat community by providing an easily customizable radiometer with increased performance versatility. The CySat-1 mission is part of Iowa State University’s (ISU) Make to Innovate (M2I) program, which is project-based learning environment implemented using a flipped classroom approach.
As part M2I program, the CySat-1 project experienced some unique challenges. The most impactful challenges were the CoViD-19 pandemic and the transition from the Spring 2024 to Fall 2024 semesters, each of which saw no continuity between membership. The high turnover rate was also compounded by team members’ lack of knowledge regarding document organization and standardization, which left the project reliant on individually communicated knowledge and skills. As CySat-1 was ISU’s first CubeSat, lack of familiarity with many official procedures and processes caused development delays, errors, and significant team member stress, all of which contributed to team burnout and lack of motivation. The project now has gained knowledge of and formalized best practices targeting addressing reports, certifications, and mission lifecycle phases and reviews.
Ground station hardware and software required updates that generated further complications. Team members required specific training to perform work, but a university wide change from AccessPlus to Workday resulted in a multiple week delay while the training access was approved. This delay significantly reduced the amount of time to repair and test the ground station prior to deployment. It was discovered the antenna that was to be used was damaged, resulting in replacement by a different antenna resulting in decreased signal gain. Internal software was discovered to have logic errors that prevented its use. Lastly, the amplifier available to use with the SDR required to communicate with CySat-1 was one directional, resulting in the team electing to transmit commands and rely on the AmSat community to provide notice of downlink. Hardware updates have been developed to address these issues, and implementation of code reviews and sanity checks have been included for future development in order to prevent similar error recurrence.
