Ciencia y Poder Aéreo (Jun 2020)

Sustainable Design of a NanoSatellite Structure TypeCubeSat as a Modular Platform for Tests

  • German Wedge Rodriguez Pirateque,
  • Nelson Arzola de la Peña,
  • Ernesto David Cortes Garcia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.18667/cienciaypoderaereo.519
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 108 – 134

Abstract

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This article is intended to contribute to the development of proprietary technologies and the evaluation and selection of integrated technologies in the study of the aerospace concept necessary for the processes of technological appropriation. The problem addressed lies in the lack of modular platforms and lowcost test systems for experimental development and simulations of satellite systems. Therefore, compare to this the proposal of a scalable modular platform of the 1U CubeSat standard is presented as the main results. The design and characterization process presented from the concept of sustainability, contributes to the use and development of low-cost equipment that minimizes the impact on the environment and, in turn, is practical for its implementation in activities of groups and research centers that promote the diffusion of space technologies in Colombia. The methodology of sustainable design, the definition of design principles and conceptual design, which is materialized with the application of quality function deployment method (QFD), the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ)), the manufacturability-oriented design (DfM), assemblability (DfA), environmental impact (DfE), reliability (DfR), and safety assessment, are relevant for compliance with the CubeSat operating standards described in cds. Finally, several constructive modes of the low cost test platforms are proposed with different materials such as 3D prototyping in paper, abs, mdf wood and aluminum. All of them are small-scale satellite structures designed and constructed at low-cost. These designs result in the materialization to test on-board systems and integration resistance in assembly and materials, in laboratories as vibration test-bench, for research groups or companies interested in promoting the development of space technologies.

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