1. Modular Nanosatellites as Amateur Radio Communication Platforms Funded by the New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium Gus Moore; Todd Kerner, KB2BCT; Amish Parashar, KE6EZM

2. Project Concept Modularity by Design A functional bus module providing Power, Control, Communications Platform for Single-Purpose Research Compatibility with other University Programs Incremental Development

3. Evolution of DARTSAT “Student Initiated, Student Designed, Faculty Mentored” Conceived Fall ‘99 as Amateur Radio Communications Satellite Desired Experimental Capabilities “A Modular Approach to Space Access”

4. CubeSat Program Stanford / CalPoly SLO providing opportunity for Thayer School’s Satellite Design Program Establishes standards for design

5. DARTSAT Specifications 10 cm cube pre-release, < 1 kg 1 year functional life Amateur radio communication < $10,000 System Bus Capability to support a wide variety of experiments at any time

6. Modularity

7. Low Earth Orbit

8. Functional Block Diagram

9. DARTSAT Functions CPU –FM repeater (J-mode) –DTMF control –Analog Measurements –Morse Code ID Data Acquisition –Temperature –Solar Cell Power –Battery Status –Magnetic Fields (Orientation)

10. Power Batteries –4.8V, 2A NiCds Solar Panels –6.0V, 200 mA Distribution –Passive Diodes

11. Radio Specifications Receiver: 144 MHz uplink –Motorola MC13136 –FM, 1 uV sensitivity, 5 kHz bandwidth –3.8 VDC, 50 mA Operation Transmitter: 440 MHz download –Motorola MC13176, RF2117 Amplifier –FM, 125 to 500 mW RF Output, 5 kHz BW –3.8 VDC, 500 mA max operation

12. Antennas Perpendicular Dipoles for Transmitter & Receiver 0 dB Gain Omni directional since satellite is not stabilized Using circularly polarized, high gain antennas on ground Antenna deployment once space borne

13. Unique Challenges Wide Temperature Oscillation -40 to +50 C Limited Power Physically small package –SMT all parts if necessary Extreme Vibrations  high spin rates  not stabilized Radiation Issues  little mass protecting the circuitry

14. Testing DARTSAT Conducted at Lockheed / Sanders –Temperature –Vacuum –Vibration –Electrical Interference –Charging Case –Radiation Hardness

15. DARTSAT Status Satellite Design Complete –Radios –Mechanical –Power –Control Prototype complete – January 2001 Testing – February 2001 Flight unit – March 2001

16. Conclusions New student program, inaugural to Dartmouth Space Programs Provides a link between Amateur Radio and Academic Communities Future –Standardized Bus  Plug and Play Science Experiments –Constellations  Low cost, large area communications

17. Recognition New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium Lockheed Sanders Stanford / CalPoly Apple Computer Thayer School and Dartmouth College Alumni