DESIGN OF AN EXTREMELY MINIATURE SATELLITE (RYEFEMSAT-MU)

2019 ELE Engineering Design Project (KK01)

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Faculty Lab Coordinator

Krishna Kumar

Topic Category

Consumer Products / Applications

Preamble

RyeFemSats (Ryerson fempto-satellites) are miniature satellites that represent the current research interests worldwide in the evolution of capable, low-cost satellite systems. Since these satellites are very small (weighing less than 100 gram), they pose unique engineering challenges in the design and development of these satellites. The project will involve design of an extremely miniature satellite, RyeFemSat-mu (less than 4 gram) for personal communication or remote sensing and atmospheric studies applications. It is expected that the proposed satellite would be better than ‘sprites’ – 3.5cm x 3.5cm miniature satellites (sponsored by Google Breakthrough Institute) weighing four grams each currently in orbit and communicating with systems back on Earth. The project will conclude with the ground/semi-flight testing of RyeFemSat-mu.

Objective

The objective of the proposed work is to design and develop the world's smallest satellite, RyeFemSat-mu.

Partial Specifications

* RyeFemSat-mu will be a bare Printed Circuit Board (PCB) with the following five main subsystems: Internal Computer (Command & Data Handling (C&DH) Subsystem), Payload Subsystem, Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem, Communication Subsystem, and Power Subsystem.
* RyeFemSats weighing 100 gram have designed and tested. The details about them will be provided for reference.
* GUI for displaying data received from the RyeSats on the computer has already been developed. This GUI will be provided.
* RyeFemSat-mu will be designed using off-the-shelf components.
* RyeFemSat-mu will be functional between -40°C and 85°C.

Suggested Approach

RyeFemSat-mu is to be designed based on satellite-on-a-chip or bare PCB. The PCB design should include all the subsystems. The firmware design is to be carried out next. The payload (e.g. camera), GPS and other sensors are to used in conjunction with the respective filters.

Group Responsibilities

The Group has the following responsibilities: a) to design the Payload and Power Subsystems, b) to design the Command and Data Handling Subsystem,
c) to design the Communication Subsystem, d) design of RyeFemSat-mu and integration of all subsystems.

Student A Responsibilities

His/her responsibility is to design the Payload and Power Subsystems. This involves the PCB design, PCB assembly, firmware development, and testing.

Student B Responsibilities

His/her responsibility is to design the Command and Data Handling (C&DH) Subsystem. This involves the PCB design, PCB assembly, firmware development, and testing.

Student C Responsibilities

His/her responsibility is to design the Communication Subsystem.
This involves the PCB design, PCB assembly, firmware development, and testing for the Communication subsystem.

Student D Responsibilities

His/her responsibilities are to design RyeFemSat and integrate all subsystems and develop Graphical User Interface (GUI) at the Ground station. These involve design, testing and GUI development.

Course Co-requisites