Contributor(s)

Kowalski, Gregory, Hines, John, NASA Ames Research Center

Abstract

Nu2SAT is a microsatellite project developed through Capstone Design Program in association with NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). Microsatellites are small, unmanned spacecraft with the capability of housing payload chambers. These satellites have minimal mass, power, volume, and are fully automated and capable of communicating results to Earth without returning the payloads. The hermetically sealed payloads hold experiments that monitor biological responses in organisms which are directly related to particular human ailments, such as bone density loss or muscle deterioration. The nu2SAT project delivers a prototype of the mechanical design with the ability to provide the appropriate utilities to support biological experiments. Distinguishing features of the design are the modular system, ease of accessibility to payloads and components, and ability to support existing ARC experiments. This microsatellite is designed to meet representative sponsor and launch vehicle requirements, it has a center of mass within plus/minus 0.635 cm of the center and a mass of approximately 16 kg. There are four potential payload configurations that are thermally isolated from each other and the satellite structure. The pressure and vibration requirements were verified through computer-aided analysis, as well as hardware testing. Space has been allotted for interfacing between all components and subsystems and the entire system meets all design parameters.

Notes

Capstone Design Course MIE 702, Technical Design Report, Project #10, Final report

Keywords

microsatellites, nu2sat

Publisher

Northeastern University

Publication Date

11-5-2007

Rights Holder

Northeastern University, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Permanent URL

http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d10011614


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