Faster, Cheaper, Adaptable

• Fall Poster
• Winter Poster
• Spring Poster

• Fall Peer Review
• Winter Peer Review
• Spring Peer Review

• Winter Design Review
• Spring Design Review

Background

A CubeSat is a small satellite that is built upon 10x10x11.35 cm cube units, with a mass of 1.33 kg per unit. Their small size and weight have provided the opportunity for schools and groups to be able to build and launch their own satellites due to their relatively low cost. With the average CubeSat cost exceeding $100,000 excluding the launch cost, they are still very expensive for most schools or groups to afford. In 2013 the NASA PhoneSat project was a major step to decreasing the cost of CubeSat development. By using a Nexus One smartphone, the satellite was able to cost near $3000 and at the time contained one the fastest processors ever used on a satellite. With the Modular CubeSat project, we hope to provide a cheaper and easier to build satellite in order to allow everyone from the average consumer to large companies to develop their own satellites.

Goal and Objectives

The Modular CubeSat’s goal is to expand upon the NASA PhoneSat project in order to create a new affordable satellite platform. By using the Moto Z smartphone, the project will be able to use the newest technology in order to allow for easier satellite development and allow for more design flexibility while maintaining a low cost. The main objective of the project is to build a flight ready proof-of-concept satellite by June which will be ready for future launch opportunities.

Innovation

We are creating the first phone-based modular satellite platform for research. The Moto Z based platform will allow anyone to develop instruments for the satellite using the Moto Mods Development Kit and general Android development.

The Bigger Picture

The Modular CubeSat will allow anyone to create their own affordable satellite for research or personal use. By lowering the cost of satellite development, the CubeSat will become even more affordable for schools and allow for a surge in space research.

Timeline

Budget

Subsystem Breakdown

Phone Development and Integration
•Module development and software integration with the rest of the satellite

Circuitry and Power
•Power management and circuit design

Communications
•Antenna design and analysis
•Communication protocols and reliability

Structures
•Satellite design
•Ensure structural integrity from launch to space.
•Thermal analysis
•Antenna deployment
•Ensure vacuum compatibility

• Fall Team Roster
• Winter Team Roster
• Spring Team Roster

Initial Project Information

• Project ID#

  MAE0086

• Course Code

  19273

• Project Type

  Student Innovation

• Field of Interest

  Aerospace Engineering, Astrodynamics, Mechanical Engineering, Power Management, Satellite Communications, Smartphone Programming, Spacecraft Design, Structural Analysis

• Description

  The Modular CubeSat project’s goal is to design, build, and launch a modular phone based CubeSat. A CubeSat is a small satellite based off of a 10x10x10 cm (1U) cube and uses a variety of consumer off the shelf (COTS) components. The increasing computational power of smartphones makes them ideal for the increasing computational demands of CubeSats. The phone based CubeSat idea was proven with the NASA PhoneSat project. The project launched multiple smartphone controlled CubeSats, and lead the way to a new and cheaper method of CubeSat design. With the advent of modular phones, the use of the smartphone in CubeSat design has become even more desirable. The modular design allows a researcher to develop a scientific instrument without having to design the satellite itself, all they will have to do attach their instrument to the phone. The researcher will be able to use the newest communication standards, allowing for higher processing and data transfer rates than were ever possible with CubeSats.

• Maximum Number of Students

  10

• Requirements

  contact advisor

• Additional Information

  Radio or electronics hardware experience is preferred.

• Contact Method

  Lead: Nima Mohseni (nmohseni@uci.edu)