Small Satellite Technology

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 Timeline
November December January February March April May
 * Finalize communications hardware
 * Order most components
 * Verify communication link
 * Finalize structure
 * December 6 Snapshot 2
 * December 20 complete prototype
 * January 23 Begin structure testing
 * February 10 Complete all testing
 * Start compiling paper
 * Mid-March 2014 flight date
 * Evaluate for areas of improvement
 * April 25 Finalize paper
 * May 2, 2014 Engineering Expo

Meeting Minutes
MeetingMinutes.pdf