ENGINEERING SPACE

Arduino-based Data Handling System
and SparkFun 6-DOF Inertial Measurement Unit

CubeSat On-board Propulsion

Command and Telemetry Displays

Interest in Cubesats continues to increase in the university and general public environment as a way to lower entry barriers into space.

The CubeSat Development Platform effort began with student mentoring at San Jose State University. The university has a strong emphasis in its spacecraft design program on CubeSats in collaboration with NASA and industry.  Students apply class knowledge to hand-on hardware development to learn about the principle spacecraft subsystems such as guidance and control, navigation, propulsion, data handling, power, and structures.

CubeSat-applicable subsystems and modules are being developed to enhance/ facilitate teaching the spaceraft design and development process.  The end-goal is low-cost, accessibility for students and teachers, so emphasis is on off-the-shelf components and open-source tools.  The modular platform allows for the opportunity to teach and practice a variety of design and manufacturing techniques.

Propulsion Module Simulator

Integrating Arduino Nano Micro-Computer and Wifi Shield for Wireless Command and Telemetry