Space Environment Team
November 2021
The Space Environments Team will begin bi-weekly meetings next quarter to discuss design considerations of the space environment such as solar, thermal, radiation, etc. Training sessions about using DAS, SPENVIS, STK, and GMAT will be provided to new members who express interest.
Star Tracker
October 2021
The Star Tracker team is hoping to set their year-long goals this upcoming month. They are currently doing research on how to improve their algorithms.
Propulsion STMD (PESPI)
February 26th 2021:
This month, the PESPI team completed the component research for high voltage DC-DC converters as well as the high level switching technology research necessary for them. They produced a low level block diagram design which they presented to their collaborators and gathered information about every system that is required from them. The team will be working on requirements for the next month.
February 23rd 2021:
Increased collaboration with UCI; we collected enough information to begin requirements. Created systems level design for PPU. Continuing research and trade studies on high voltage DC-DC design and component selection.
CP-15 Spinnaker3:
April 2021:
Spinnaker-3 will be launching soon on the Firefly Alpha rocket. This month there is a planned test fire on the pad to ensure all systems are still nominal after transport.
February 2021:
Spinnaker3 is currently waiting for launch on the Firefly Alpha rocket in March.
October 7th 2020:
Spinnaker3 is in the final stages of assembly and testing in preparation for launch on the Firefly Alpha launch vehicle later this year. After a couple weeks of troubleshooting, a successful boom deployment test was completed in late September. The team is currently working with Purdue University to have all the proper licenses and documentation completed for delivery.
StickCube
March 2nd 2021:
This month the StickCube team did further training in control system (deriving controller gains, general control system trade-offs) and relevant software (implementing difference equations into C, the NASA 42 simulation). Additionally, they made further progress with the cad model and had an informal review to be approved to order electrical parts. The order was approved and parts are currently on their way. The following months should see the StickCube team writing assembly and testing procedures and beginning to work on assembling and testing hardware. The software for the control system they will be implementing on the Arduino is also still in development.
November 3rd 2020:
The StickCube team has made progress primarily with improving our simulation and holding trainings. Parts for StickCube have been evaluated and selected using a Simulink model which characterizes how the system responds to external torques. This model allows the team to tweak the system and make major changes before buying or assembling anything costly. The team has held several trainings focusing on introducing major ADCS ideas and concepts paired with the foundational mathematics essential to understanding classical controls theory.
October 7th 2020:
StickCube is an internal lab project that aims to develop a self-stabilizing inverted pendulum using a micro-controller and two reaction wheels. It is designed to serve as a hands-on attitude determination and control systems (ADCS) learning platform, where lab members can practice running simulations, build a physical structure, and implement control algorithms. This is part of CPCL's transition towards having more ADCS capabilities to bring to future flight missions.