Mission type Atmospheric studies Mission duration TBA Launch site TBA Launch date 2014 Launch mass 2.66 kg | Operator NUTS project - NTNU Rocket TBA Decay date Launch + <20 years Launch mass 2.66 kg Launch mass 2.66 kg | |
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Manufacturer Norwegian University of Science and Technology | ||
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. It is one of three CubeSats part of the Norwegian student space program ANSAT, the other two are the CubeStar and the HiNCube. From NTNUs CubeSat projects NUTS-1 is a succssor of the nCube-1 and nCube-2 projects. The satellite will use a main groundstation located at NTNU.
Contents
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.
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.
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.
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.