Strand-1: use of a $500 smartphone as the central avionics of a nanosatellite
- Paper number
IAC-11,B4,6B,8,x10937
- Author
Mr. Shaun Kenyon, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Christopher P. Bridges, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Doug Liddle, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Bob Dyer, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. James Parsons, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. David Feltham, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Rupert Taylor, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Dale Mellor, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Andy Schofield, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Ms. Rosie Linehan, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Richard Long, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Juan Fernandez, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Haval Kadhem, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Philip Davies, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Jonathan Gebbie, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Nick Holt, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Peter Shaw, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Lourens Visagie, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Theodoros Theodorou, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Vaios Lappas, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Craig Underwood, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Mark Pollard, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Year
2011
- Abstract
STRaND-1 is the first in a series of SSTL-Surrey Space Centre collaborative satellites designed for the purpose of technology pathfinding for future commercial operations. It is the first time Surrey has entered the CubeSat field and is different from most CubeSats in that it will fly a modern COTS Android smartphone as a payload, along with a suite of advanced technologies developed by the University of Surrey, and one unit by the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa. STRaND-1 is also different in that anyone – not just from the space engineering or space science community – will be eligible to fly their “app” in space, for free. STRaND-1 is currently being manufactured and tested by volunteers in their own free time, and will be ready for an intended launch in the next three months. This paper outlines the STRaND pathfinder programme philosophy which challenges some conventional space engineering practises, and describes the impact of those changes on the satellite development lifecycle. The paper then briefly describes the intent behind the design of STRaND-1, before presenting details the design of the nanosatellite, focussing of the details of the innovative new technologies. These technologies include two different propulsion systems, an 802.11g WiFi experiment, a new VHF/UHF transceiver unit and a miniature 3-axis reaction wheel assembly. The novel processing setup (which includes the smartphone) is discussed in some detail, particularly the potential for outreach via the open source nature of Google’s Android operating system. A step-through of the planned concept of operations is provided, which includes a possible rendezvous and inspection segment, demonstrating equal or improved capability compared to SNAP-1 with a reduced total system mass. Finally, data from the test campaign is presented and compared against other notable CubeSats known for their advanced capabilities.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-11,B4,6B,8,x10937.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.