Design of a scalable nano university satellite bus (IlliniSat-2 bus) command and data handling system and power system

IlliniSat-2 bus is the second generation of a general model on which multiple-production of CubeSats are based upon. The IlliniSat-2 bus consists of Command and Data Handling system, Power Generation and Distribution system, Attitude Determination and Control system and Radio system. The IlliniSat-2 is required to be capable of operating a nanosatellite from size 1.5U (10x10x17cm) to 6U (10x22.6x36.6cm) and carrying up to three science payloads. The challenge with IlliniSat-2 bus is the requirement for the wide-range scalability. The major contribution of this work includes the requirements, design, testing, and validation of two parts of the IlliniSat-2 bus systems: Command and Data Handling system and Power Generation and Distribution system. This work also contributes the lessons learned throughout the implementation of the flight hardware. So far, five missions are using IlliniSat-2 bus to carry their science payloads: LAICE, CubeSail, SpaceICE, SASSI^2 and CAPSat. CubeSail satellite was fully constructed and delivery to the launcher on April 12th, 2018. The tentative launch date as of this publication is August 31st, 2018. SpaceICE, SASSI^2 and CAPSat are three missions developed as parts of the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s (SMD) Undergraduate Student Instrument Program (USIP). Those three satellites are being constructed as of this publication and will be delivered to perspective launchers by the end of August. LAICE satellite was constructed and is awaiting to be delivered to the launch in November 1st, 2018

NASA Tech Briefs, September 2001

Topics include: special coverage section on sensors, and sections on electronic components systems, software, materials, machinery/automation, manufacturing/fabrication, bio-medical, book and reports, and a special section of Photonics Tech Briefs