Report of

Two Day Workshop

On

Design & Development of Pico/Nano/Micro-

Satellites (PNMSats) Using a System

Engineering Roadmap

Organized by

GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Date: 2nd & 3rd July-2016

Venue: Gujarat Technological University, ACPC Building, L.D College of Engineering Campus, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad -380 015

Introduction:

Gujarat Technical University organized two days workshop on Design & Development of

Pico/Nano/Micro-Satellites (PNMSats) Using a System Engineering Roadmap on 2nd & 3rd July-

2016 under the visionary guidance of honorable Vice Chancellor Dr. Rajul K. Gajjar. The goal of

this workshop was to introduce Pico/Nano/Micro-Satellite (PNMSats) mission design and

development in a systems engineering framework. To provide an opportunity to handle

PNMSats, the workshop was being conducted using a classroom satellite kit from EyasSat.

About Expert:

Dr. Sharan Asundi is an Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Science Engineering department at

Tuskegee University, which is the first and only historically black institution of higher learning to

offer an accredited BS degree program in this field. He has collaborated with NASA Goddard

Space Flight Center to conduct research in the field of small satellites. He is actively pursuing

support from NASA, AFRL, NSF and other organization supporting research in aerospace. Most

recently, he has proposed (to NSF) to develop a 6U CubeSat in collaboration with University of

Florida, NASA and Maryland Aerospace Inc to advance the understanding of upper atmospheric

composition. He has sought funds from AFRL to set up a magnetic coil test facility at Tuskegee

University to research the design and development of magnetically clean compact satellites.

Rockwell Collins has approved funding to develop an Amateur Ground Station at Tuskegee

University.

Day 1 (2nd July 2016):

On the first day of the workshop, Dr. Asundi introduced students to the concepts of satellites,

orbital mechanics, laws of Kepler, laws of Newton, basics about system engineering and its

importance to successfully conduct a space mission. Pico/Nano/Micro-Satellites (PNMSats)

which transformed the way we perceive satellites and made space accessible to budding

engineers, scientists and amazingly, even high school students. PNMSats are playing a pivotal

role of complementing conventional satellites and in effect, contributing significantly to

workforce development for the space industry. PNMSats’ system design and development is

truly multidisciplinary engineering involving Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,

Electrical, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering,

Structural and Thermal Engineering, Systems Engineering and more.

Dr. Asundi briefly discussed about the classification of the CubeSat on the basis of their sizes.

CubeSats conceived as educational satellites, are challenging the paradigm of traditional

satellites and are being recognized for their potential utility by space and research agencies

around the world including United States (U.S.) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA), U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), National Science Foundation and the U.S. National

Reconnaissance Office. A CubeSats consists of following subsystems:

1. Communication system

2. Payload Design

3. Attitude Determination and Control system

4. Power system

5. Structure and Thermal insulation

6. Command and Data handling

Students were given information about communication systems which consist of a transceiver,

antenna and telemetry budget. CubeSat mainly works in UHF and VHF spectrum. Transceiver on

CubeSat transmits data to ground station on UHF band. And command can be transmitted from

ground station to transponder at VHF band.

Students were shown different modules and components of a CubeSat like Thermal Panel,

Power Distributor, and Antenna Chip. Dr. Asundi practically demonstrate student how to catch

NOAA 3 satellite signal.

Day 2 (3rd July 2016):

On the 2nd day of workshop, Students were given information about all power systems of

satellite. A power system consists of:

Power Budget

Power generation

Storage batteries

Power regulation and distribution

Power control

Power in satellite is generated using solar panels and then stored in batteries. This power is

unregulated, so it is regulated and then distributed to other subsystems of satellite to carry out

their operations. Power of the satellite subsystem is to be controlled at different phases of the

mission.

Dr. Sharan Asundi discussed about payloads of PNM satellites. Payload is the scientific

instruments that is used to carry out research or are used to sense some parameters in space. A

CubeSat payload mainly consists of camera, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and many

more.

Students were informed about Attitude Determination and control system. Main parameters of

ADCS are stability and Control. Components required for controlling are

Sun Sensor

3 Axis Reaction wheel system

Magnetorquers and Magnetometer

Gyros

Dr. Sharan Asundi talked about command and data handling. Main parts of data handling are:

Payload interface

RTC

Interfacing with communication system

Software CONOPS ( Concepts of operation)

Dr. Asundi practically assembled his classroom EyeSats satellite kit and showed it to students.

Live data transmission and working of all subsystems were showed to students.

Workshop end with tireless efforts of expert in spreading PNMSats, CubeSat knowledge among

participants.

Workshop Photo Gallery