Pantheon

JPL Small Satellite Technology Weather Balloon Design Project
Project Goal: To demonstrate a proof of concept for a radio science technique to measure the dynamics of a planetary atmosphere using a capsule in flight. [pantheondesignproject.wordpress.com]

Introduction


Project Deliverables


 * Power bench test of a communication Transmitter/Receiver system
 * Measure and record the frequency of received signal at prescribed sampling rates
 * Select between several types of antennas for the transmitter system and receiver antenna
 * Capsule antenna will be linearly polarized, low gain (Omni directional)
 * Receiving antenna will be directional antenna
 * Include one (preferably two) independent methods of verifying the measured wind speeds
 * Including tracking the capsule trajectory from GPS measurements
 * Provide end to end air test of the transmitter-receiver system
 * Demonstrate frequency measurement capabilities
 * Doppler tracking of transmitter
 * Flight demonstration (if weather permits)
 * Hardware design along with ground and flight test results to be presented to JPL Radio-science Subsystem Group in Spring 2014
 * Prepare an abstract and paper to be presented in June 2014

Pantheon Team
Members:

Mentor: Instructor:
 * David Eld
 * Touraj Assefi

Sponsors:


 * NASA Jet Propulsion Labratory
 * Kamal Oudrhiri
 * NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium
 * David Atkinson

Project Work
Project Specifications
 * Weight: 6 pounds
 * Size: 10 cm3
 * Temperature: -50 degrees C
 * Max height/elevation: 90,000 feet
 * Flight Time: 2-3 hours
 * Meet FCC broadcasting regulations
 * Working model for 100-400 MHz range
 * Consistently receive/transmit signal
 * FCC Hamm licensing

Project Learning:

Mechanical Engineering

 * Cube Material Research


 * SolidWorks Cube Model:


 * Heat Transfer:


 * Preliminary EES Solution


 * Required Specifications:


 * Minimum Inside Cube Temperature of -15°F
 * Altitude Dependent Values
 * Assumptions:
 * Carbon Fiber Structure Negligible
 * DOW Utilityfit Insulation
 * Generated Heat is removed by convection to the surroundings and radiation by the box
 * Altitude of 80,000ft
 * Solution:
 * Insulation Thickness
 * Total Power Loss

Electrical Engineering

 * Transmitter Selection


 * Board Selection


 * Crystal Oscillator

Specifications:
 * SG-8002JF-PCC (Digikey)
 * 1 MHz-125 MHz
 * Can be used with Spartan 3E TQ144 and CP132
 * 3.3 V (max)
 * 28 mA (max)
 * -20C ~ +70C
 * 7.1mm X 4.6mm X 1.5mm

Project Plan
1. Broadcasting bandwidth

2. Allowable broadcasting power

3. Determining maximum distance of transmission

4. Power needed for transmission

5. Sufficient antenna

6. Housing and attachment of components in/to structure

7. Determine data analysis method

8. Testing

9. Data Analysis

Meeting Minutes
MeetingMinutes.pdf