PocketQube

Presenter(s)

Yashika Batra, Karissa Barbu, Aleksei Seletskiy

Abstract or Description

PyCubed1, a RExLab initiative, is an open-source CubeSat2 (10cmm x 10cm x 10cm mini-satellite) platform that aims to create an easily accessible outline for satellite hardware and software systems. PocketQube aims to take advantage of PyCube’s past work in order to develop and document outlines for an even smaller, 5cm cube satellite (NanoSat). This NanoSat, which will be ready for launch within the next year, will also be equipped with a fully magnetorquer-based attitude control system. PocketQube’s main work this semester consists of testing and building upon existing NanoSat hardware and software – radio communications, system monitoring, sensors, etc  – for performance. This involved modifications to the existing PyCubed software, as well as changes to structural pieces in the PyCubed hardware to accommodate the new PocketQube printed circuit boards (PCBs). On the software front, PocketQube has successfully run all basic and advanced “BeepSat” tests, ranging from blinking an LED, to reading sensor data, keeping track of battery and time, and getting working radio transmission between the satellite main board and a ground station board. On the hardware side, PocketQube has created working models and assemblies for all components in the PyCubed hardware library, and is creating a power budget for the board’s solar cells.

Mentor

Zachary Manchester