The UAH ChargerSat Team is actively completing the satellite development. In August 2012, the team completed and tested the ChargerSat1 prototype. This unit is capable of completing all step needed to complete the primary mission. We are excited to be in the final preparations for maufacturing flight units. Parts will be machined at the Engineering Prototype and Design Facility and assembled in the soon-to-be cleanroom. This delicate process should be completed with testing by March 1, 2013 for a possible April 1, 2013 delivery. More information will be available soon.
- Mission
- Mechanical
- Electrical
- Solar Panel Testing
- Microgravity Testing
- Cleanroom
- Jump on Board!
Mission
ChargerSat-1 is a fully operational, orbital satellite. It is less than 1 kg and is a 10cm cube fitting to the CalPoly CubeSat standard. The UAH Cubesat is meant to demonstrate the full capabilities of all systems needed for satellite operations. The program involves members from 7+ departments exercising their skills in developing a satellite, ground station, and testing program.
Mission Objectives for the satellite:
- Improve communications for picosatellite operations
- Demonstrate passive nadir axis stabilization for picosatellite attitude control
- Improve solar power collection for picosatellite operations
Program Goals for the overall program:
Design, fabricate, and operate a satellite using the capacities of a multi-disciplinary team of engineering and scientific disciplines to develop a single integrated orbital system. We look to inspire and engage the public in our missions and technical concepts.
Background - CubeSat In OrbitBackground - Close Up in Orbit
Mechanical Design
The ChargerSat 1 mechanical design is completely novel. The in-house mechanical design is machined at UAH by students in The Engineering Prototype and Design Facility.
The Gravity Gradient Boom is largest deployable of the CubeSat. A simple and reliable design
is required for this to function properly.This video is a concept test of the GG boom.
The length will be 2 meters. The final design is in the prototype unit.
Electrical Design
The design of ChagerSat has 20 PCB's working together. These are heavily interconnected.
The EPS sub system is made of:
- Solar cells
- Solar power conditioning
- Battery charge controller
- Power bus
The solar power conditioning circuit and battery charger circuit features a 9 channel peak power point tracker. This has been developed at UAH by students.
Testing
Solar Panel Testing
Solar panel test 1 full report - December 14, 2012
As we prepare to fabricate flight units, the team is heavily testing the solar panels for manufacturing. Working with STI Electronics, UAH RFAL, and NASA MSFC, we are actively testing the cells for spaceflight readiness.
A prototype solar panel is imaged with x-rays at STI Electronics.
The bubbles are small enough to survive launch and space.
A prototype solar cell put through a scanning electron microscope at STI Electronics.
The rough edge is the cut edge of the cell.
The line was thought to be a tin whisker, but can not be deciphered
A prototype solar panel is flashed with the power of the sun
in the NASA MSFC Solar Simulator. The test takes 0.002 seconds.
An early side panel of the satellite undergoes a thermal shock at UAH RFAL.
Testing
Microgravity
This is the satellite prototype in its microgravity test frame.
The satellite team performed a microravity test in Houston, TX at Ellington Field. This test was used to observe and measure the forces on the satelluite through each of the 5 mechanical deployments and movements.
Fullscreen Video - NonYouTube
"GO for flight!"
The team is coninuously practicing while waiting on the weather to clear.
The team onboard G-Force One in our experiment area.
Cleanroom
ChargerSat 1 is being assembled and tested in a cleanroom at UAH. Here is a live camera of operations.
The club is also designing the cleanroom. We are looking into extruded aluminum options. Once designed, we will work with UAH facilities and the EDPF manager to ensure an effective, efficient, versitile design.
Great job to John and Geoff. Last week, they completed the floor preparations for the cleanroom in Tech Hall W100.
The club is getting warmed up. Please join the club Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm. These meetings are in VBRH M-25, middle of the building.
