CANSAT-KIT for non-engineering people

Paper number

IAC-06-E5.P.06

Author

Ms. Tomoko Marukawa, Qoo-An Ltd., Japan

Coauthor

Ms. Naomi Kashima, Qoo-An Ltd., Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Yoshiki Sugawara, University of Tokyo, Japan

Coauthor

Dr. Yuya Nakamura, University of Tokyo, Japan

Coauthor

Prof. Shinichi Nakasuka, University of Tokyo, Japan

Year

2006

Abstract

We have challenged to develop CANSAT-KIT for the non-engineering people, besides for the engineering student. CANSAT was originally proposed for the purpose of hands-on education of engineering students, so that it needs engineering knowledge at university level. However, we have focused attention on the potential interest toward space related activity of non-engineering people. Even though space activity tends to be recognized as high threshold, if we produce CANSAT-KIT available for various levels, it would be effective to make people to feel it closer.
 Undergraduate students who are major in engineering will be the inevitable user, but potential user will be children because people apprehend that more young people are moving away from the sciences. CANSAT-KIT as educational tool could be the trigger to attract those into the sciences. Retired people will be another potential user because they saw the Apollo 11 rocket landing when they were children. After retirement, some of them may be interested in challenging to the space related activity because it was unreachable dream when they were young. Besides, NEET(young people Not in Education, Employment or Training) will be the potential user. We hope the experience of accomplishment of one project would encourage those young people. 

In order to reach those people's requirement, our CANSAT-KIT has quite basic functions.  Representative functions or components of the kit are as follows:
The kit has a micro computer (H8/3069).

- Communication device is on the kit for bothway communications with the ground station.

- USB port is prepared for communication with computer to write programs on micro computer of the kit.

- 3-axis acceleration sensor is installed.

- The kit has six LED to show some statuses of it and carry out some educational experiments.

- User can use basic programs for operation of the kit.

Therefore, to realize a mission with CANSAT-KIT, user has to develop additional components (we call “optional components”). For example, to enter a comeback competition, they have to prepare parafoil for gliding to the ground, GPS for knowing the position, gyro for getting the attitude information and servo actuator for control of the parafoil. That is the advantage of the CANSAT-KIT because user can skip the development of quite basic components and concentrate on development of optional components and software. Of course, detail instruction manual for basic function is prepared. With this CNASAT-KIT, various users who have different purposes can enjoy space engineering. 

Abstract document

IAC-06-E5.P.06.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-E5.P.06.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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