NUTS 1 (satellite)

NUTS 1

Image showing artists rendition of NUTS 1 in orbit
Mission type Atmospheric studies
Operator NUTS project - NTNU
Mission duration TBA
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer NTNU
Launch mass 2.66kg
Start of mission
Launch date TBA
Rocket TBA
Launch site TBA
End of mission
Decay date Launch + <20 years
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Semi-major axis TBA
Eccentricity TBA
Perigee TBA
Apogee TBA
Inclination 98° Polar Planned
Period Approx 1 hour Planned

NUTS-1 (NTNU Test Satellite) is a Norwegian 2U CubeSat created by the NUTS student satellite project at NTNU. The satellite is currently under development by students from several engineering and science disciplines.[1][2][3] It is one of three CubeSats part of the Norwegian student space program ANSAT, the other two are the CubeStar and the HiNCube.[4] From NTNUs CubeSat projects NUTS-1 is a succssor of the nCube-1 and nCube-2 projects.[5] The satellite will use a main groundstation located at NTNU.

Specifications

The satellite is based on the standardized CubeSat dimensions made to fit into a specialized deployer. 2U or double means the satellite will be 2 standard cuboid units long. Outside dimensions are locked to the standards interface, but internal dimensions are created on a platform uniquely developed for the satellite. Electronics will be based on a non-standard backplane design, in contrast to common stacked Printed Circuit Board designs.[6]

Subsystems

The subsystems of NUTS-1 is in designed, constructed and built by the students in the projects, using few off the shelf parts. Commercially based single electronic components are used throughout the system. The satellite is structured into the subsystems below.[7]

Structure

NUTS-1 is built with lightweight fiber reinforced plastic, to make frame and supporting structures as lightweight as possible. CubeSats are commonly built around an aerospace aluminum alloy, using polymers in space is challenging in relation to the effects of space on the material.

On Board Computer

The OBC system will use an Atmel AVR32 UC3 with access to external flash and RAM, running a FreeRTOS lightweight operating system.

Communication

The NUTS antenna system will consist of a VHF and a UHF circular polarized turnstile antenna. Communication will be done on standard ham radio bands.

Electric Power System

NUTS-1 will use high efficiency solar cells covering 5 of 6 sides of the satellite, the solar cells will charge a battery-pack and supply power to the on-board electronics.

Attitude Determination and Control system

NUTS-1 attitude determination and control system (ADCS) will consist of magnetorquers, wound copper coil around each axis that will act relative to the magnetic field of the earth. Gyros and magnetometers will be used in combination with the solar panels to calculate the orientation.

Payload

The satellite is planned to carry an IR-camera to capture images of atmospheric fluid gravity waves.[8][9]

A wireless bus is also implemented as a secondary payload for testing purposes.

Launch

The satellite is planned to be launched in a P-POD (Poly-pico orbital deployer) or a similar deployer as an auxiliary payload. It will be launched using available commercial launch vehicles into low-earth orbit. The CubeSat has a planned launch in 2016.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "NTNU sikter mot stjernene - NTNU aims for the stars". dusken.no. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Wahl, Terje. "Satellitt-tur til Trondheim, mindre is på Grønland, og litt om sola". Forskning.no. Terje Wahl, Norsk Romsenter. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  3. ↑ "NTNU Test Satellite – NUTS Norwegian Cubesat". AMSAT-UK. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  4. ↑ "ANSAT". Rocketrange.no. Andøya Rocket Range. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Birkeland, Roger. "NUTS-1 Mission Statement" (PDF). NUTS. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  6. ↑ Birkeland, Roger; Odd Gutteberg (3–9 February 2013). "Overview of the NUTS CubeSat Project" (PDF). Proceedings of the 2nd IAA Conference on University Satellite Missions and CubeSat Workshop, IAA Book Series, Editors: Filippo Graziani, Chantal Cappelletti, Rome, Italy. IAA-CU-13-09-09 2 (2). Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "NUTS – NTNU Test Satellite". Robonor. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Vant pris for beste masteroppgave". SINTEF. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Rønning, Snorre (17–28 October 2013). "OPTIMIZING AN INFRARED CAMERA FOR OBSERVATION OF ATMOSPHERIC GRAVITY WAVES FROM A CUBESAT PLATFORM". IAC-13-B4.4-x18138. 64th International Astronautical Congress.

External links

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