Small satellite, big future
Introduction
Currently, CubeSat with a 10 cm cube (10×10×10 cm3) and a mass of up to 1.33 kg has become the lowest cost turnkey access to Space, which has become the most popular training/educational tools or low-cost technology demonstration platforms that could be developed and launched within a short period. The CubeSat Hands-on Training Package (CHTP) aims to support participants to study space technology and satellite engineering by CubeSats technology.
Satellite system design and engineering practice will be the basic baseline of this package. CHTP focused on educational skills and has been produced to train applicants with testing and operational skills and has its own facilities and support individual, user-friendly instruction & software packets. (fig1)
Fig 1: CubeSat model and Air-bearing stand.
CHTP could be used independently or with the help of professional instructors, in the frame of short courses. In each course, the professional satellite engineer, as the instructor, will train the satellite knowledge, and share the satellite engineering experiences. The participants have the opportunities to join the process from the practical design, assembly, integration, and test of satellites. And how to operate and control the satellite will be shown by the real ground station.
CHTP will give the chance to explore new space technologies, and carry your innovation invention or idea in the future real space mission. It will provide a direct way for participants to know the satellite, inspire the space interest, and explore the new space technologies.
Highlights
CHTP is designed and developed for hands-on learning and training for all educational levels: STEAM education, university studies and professional training.
CHTP is perfectly fitted to train on design, implementation, assembly, integration, and testing of CubeSat Projects.
Users can build on it, allows them to integrate and test their own developments, including Software and Hardware.
Help users to understand the concept of space flight mission and the subsystem of CHTP, which can inspire students’ enthusiasm in aerospace field.
CHTP could be used as a Test, Educational and training facilities at research and educational centers.
Having CHTP, any educational or research centers could regularly provide interactive and very effective educational and training events for willing group of students or young specialists.
CHTP was performed specially for knowing and testing the performance of the satellites (CubeSat’s) and its’ subsystems. Using it applicants are supposed to make a CubeSat model and test it with the help of support test facilities. CubeSat model has all of the satellites’ basic subsystems like:
- Structure Subsystem;
- Electrical Power Subsystem;
- Communication Subsystem;
- Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem;
- On-board computing chip.
- Remote-sensing sensor
Mentioned setup helps participants to execute research’s regarding evolution of CubeSat and its’ basic subsystems. Young specialist’s, students and researchers who are going to work in space research and technology fields, with the help of CHTP, could get clear view and tangible practice of satellites design and development. Trainees, passing through the training course, step by step learn; what is CubeSats and how they work, the specification of their subsystems, CubeSats’ design, development and integration process (Fig 2).
Fig 2: CubeSat model and Tool-Boxes
What is the CHTP?
1- CHTP is a Research and Educational package on the base of CubeSats (Fig 3).
Fig 3: Selected pictures from provided training workshop using CHTP
2- CHTP is designed as a several hands-on training short courses (workshops) and has made of two basic parts: Theoretical and Practical.
Theoretical:
In this part, trainees will able to interact with lecturers, who will teach them some of the skills that will be required to perform the practical tasks (Fig 4). This part also could be provided by trainees themselves with the help of instructions
Fig 4: Theoretical class
Practical:
In practical sessions, participants using user friendly detailed instructions, will work with the facilities, CubeSat models and its’ elements. they will provide different kind of hands-on practices which have been specially designed to improve their skills and knowledge in Space Engineering aria (Fig 5).
Fig 5: Practical part
3- CHTP consist of below mentioned parts:(Fig 6)
1- CubeSat Model and subsystem elements (Tool-boxes and elements);
2- Training lectures programs and software (courses curriculum, instructions…);
3- Test setups and facilities (Table-Top Micro air-bearing complex, sun simulator…);
Fig 6: The main segments of CHTP
4- CHTP especially has been designed, to educate young specialists, students and the new space generation, interactively (Fig 7).
Fig 7: Young specialist training process
5- CHTP Covered Topics
- CubeSat model, tool boxes elements and test facilities introduction,
- Attitude Determination and control subsystem analysis and assembly,
- Passive Remotes’ Sensing Sensors payloads justification and assembly,
- Practical activities.