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News From The AMSAT 2009 Space SymposiumHere are the top stories from AMSAT's Space Symposium
AMSAT Says "We're Going Back to Space"
The Board of Directors has adopted the Engineering Task Force recommendation that low-cost launch options be immediately pursued. The AMSAT engineering team will develop a 1U CubeSat design effective immediately. Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, Vice-President of Engineering said, "We are recommending an approach that gets AMSAT back up in space with new satellites by leveraging the skills and technology we have today."
The new AMSAT CubeSat's initial capability is planned to add to the popular low-earth orbit FM transponder fleet allowing hams to continue to use their existing handheld and portable antenna systems. This also continues the accessible entry path for new satellite operators to get started. The existing FM satellites are starting to show their age.
The flight version of ARISSat-1 has been developed to be adaptable into the CubeSat model. This will allow a modular approach to mission design using proven subsystems and components. The ARISSat-1 mission planned in 2010 will be the initial flight test of AMSAT's modular satellite.
Here are some of the highlights ...
- AMSAT will develop comparable AO-51 level of performance packaged into a 1U CubeSat. This includes a U-V transponder, V telemetry, U command receiver, IHU, power control. This can be done with our modular design.
- This will be a U/V FM Transponder, not done before in a 1U CubeSat, which can be worked with a HT and a simple antenna. CubeSat power limitations are planned to be addressed through research and development of deployable solar-cells.
- AMSAT will make our open-design satellite modules and technology available for other satellite teams to build into their missions.
- This new approach will provide a reliable radio link for future CubeSats allowing university teams to concentrate on their scientific objectives.
- The modular nature of the AMSAT CubeSat system will allow add-on missions utilizing several different types of modulation and bandwidth. These can be pursued with future low-cost CubeSat launch opportunities.
Key University Space Projects Under Development
Barry Baines, WD4ASW, AMSAT President reported at the Annual Meeting that the Board of Directors has agreed to participate in two exciting University-based cooperative programs.
- First, AMSAT is having serious discussions with the University of Florida, Gainesville to locate the AMSAT Lab on campus. This will put our lab in a state of the art engineering facility. This is also the home of the UF SwampSat CubeSat development team.
- The Board of Directors has agreed to partner with SUNY-Binghamton and the IBM Systems Engineering Integration Center to mentor senior level engineering students for the development of the NextGen CubeSat as their 'capstone' engineering project. Projects at SUNY-Binghamton are planned to initially address the development of deployable solar cells and super capacitor power systems.
Watch for evolving details of these exciting developments in the AMSAT Journal!
New drawings of ARISSat-1 View
Updated: 21 Oct, 09 |
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ARISSat-1 Development Team Meets in PhoenixMany of the ARISSat team met in Phoenix over the weekend of October 23-25 to work on software integration, to assemble the spaceframe and to make final measurements for the new cables. The team put in long hours at the Microchip facility where a number of new milestones were met.
- The satellite was commanded via a radio.
- New PSU (power supply unit) board was tested in the system.
- New ICU (Interconnect board) was tested in the system.
- New MPPT (Max Power Point Tracker) boards were tested with solar panels.
- New solar panel test structure was built and used to test the power system.
- The new 1k BPSK error correcting data was transmitted and received.
- New telemetry data was transmitted.
- Received data from the Russian experiment simulator and transmitted it.
- Basic spaceframe was constructed.
- The US made Ag-Zn battery was assembled and activated and will be available for testing.
The team is working hard to get the satellite completely operational by early Dec 2009, when in-depth system testing will begin. A NASA Safety Briefing for ARISSat-1 was held on Thursday 22 Oct 2009. The team was well prepared and only have a few items to provide additional descriptions for at the next safety review in December 2009.Updated: 09 Nov, 09
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| NASA Image of the Day |
Space Shuttle Atlantis
This view of the aft portion of the space shuttle Atlantis, including the three main engines, was provided by the Expedition 21 crew during a survey of the approaching vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and every mission's activities, Atlantis performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver. The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters). Image Credit: NASA |
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