DIY Satellite Platforms

Description

Annotation Want to build your own satellite and launch it into space? Its easier than you may think. The first in a series of four books, this do-it-yourself guide shows you the essential steps needed to design a base picosatellite platformcomplete with a solar-powered computer-controlled assemblytough enough to withstand a rocket launch and survive in orbit for three months. Whether you want to conduct scientific experiments, run engineering tests, or present an orbital art project, youll select basic components such as an antenna, radio transmitter, solar cells, battery, power bus, processor, sensors, and an extremely small picosatellite chassis. This entertaining series takes you through the entire processfrom planning to launch. Prototype and fabricate printed circuit boards to handle your payloadChoose a prefab satellite kit, complete with solar cells, power system, and on-board computerCalculate your power budgethow much you need vs. what the solar cells collectSelect between the Arduino or BasicX-24 onboard processors, and determine how to use the radio transmitter and sensorsLearn your launch options, including the providers and cost requiredUse milestones to keep your project schedule in motion.  Read more... Abstract: Can any hobbyist build a satellite? Our DIY guide steps you through designing and building a base picosatellite platform tough enough to withstand launch and survive in orbit. If you have basic maker skills, you can build a space-ready solar-powered computer-controlled assembly suitable for attaching instruments and rocketing into space.  Read more... Content: Preface Conventions Used in This Book Using Code Examples Safari® Books Online How to Contact Us Chapter 1. Overview What Is a Picosatellite? Where Is Orbit? Pico-Goals Science! Engineering! Art Concept! The Art of Building LEO Conditions and Viability LEO Temperatures LEO Light LEO Magnetic Field How I Got Started Budgets Chapter 2. PCB Fab, Soldering, and Electronics Gerber Files Breadboarding and Prototyping Fabricating PCBs My Criteria for a Good PCB Vendor Quality Control Soldering Parts Is Parts Parts Suppliers Rad Hard Chapter 3. Chassis, Structure, and Gross AnatomyParts Is Parts What the Wizard Gave Us The Electric Company The Outer Limits CubeSats and TubeSats Materials Shielding Payload Bays Flight Spares Chapter 4. Power Power In Steady State Operations Burst Mode Power Architecture Power Charging Efficiency Power Out Power Charging Curves Chapter 5. Programming and Coding Core Processor Sensor Programming Packet Data Radio Transmission Programming More on Hardware Chapter 6. Launching and Rockets Blowups Happen Form Factor InterOrbital Systems Chapter 7. Milestones and PlanningChecklists Research and Design (2 months) Setup (1 month) Core Work (5 months) Integration and Testing (2 months or more) Team Work Final Step Sample Case: Project Calliope TubeSat-style Picosatellite Assembly Work Integration Work Certification Work Photo Work Day Job Goal