Qualification of Composite Structure for Cubesat Picosatellites as a Demonstration for Small Satellite Elements
Journal Title: International Journal of Aeronautical Science & Aerospace Research - Year 2014, Vol 1, Issue 2
Abstract
The present work describes the design, structural analysis, and qualification by analysis and experimental validation of the 1st Greek cube-satellite developed at the University of Patras (UPSat - University of Patras Satellite). The key innovative approach includes the replacement of the aluminum parts of the primary structure with structural composite components, something that has never been attempted in the past by other mission following such an approach. A Single-Unit (1U) CubeSat structure made entirely of composite materials was designed, analyzed, manufactured and tested. A comparison with the state-of-the-art, commercially available, structure made out of aluminum (CubeSat-kit) already certified for space use also took place. The work was performed under the vision to prove the feasibility of manufacturing and certifying the structure for space use in the near future. Finite element analysis, confirmed by testing of a 1U Cube Sat, is used to examine trade-offs for the materials and layups. Based on these analyses, recommendations are given for a viable design solution. Results have shown that the redesign of the structure using CFRP can offer similar levels of performance in terms of stiffness while reducing mass by approximately 40%.
Authors and Affiliations
V Kostopoulos
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP205367
- DOI 10.19070/2470- 4415-140001
- Views 96
- Downloads 0
A Review of Flapping Wing MAV Modelling
Flapping wing flight has been extensively studied in the field of entomology, resulting in observations on the methods of lift production, high manoeuvrability and efficient flight for various natural flyers in differing...
Assessment of Three Databases for the NASA Seven-Coefficient Polynomial Fits for Calculating Thermodynamic Properties of Individual Species
This work considers the seven-coefficient polynomials proposed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to facilitate obtaining a normalized value for three thermodynamic standard-state specific proper...
Study the Performance of an Organic Rankine Cycle for Thermal Absorption and Recovery from the Scramjet Cooling Heat
An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) for thermal absorption and recovery system is proposed for cooling scramjet. The heat which must be taken away by fuel coolant from cooling scramjet is converted to other forms of energy. T...
Theoretical and Experimental Investigation for Liquid Film in an Impinging Stream Vortex Chamber
The paper, based on the special structural features and operation modes of impinging stream vortex engine, starts from the process that two jet flows impact each other and synthetic jet impacts solid wall leading to liqu...
Analytical Solutions for the Point Source Spherical Blast Wave Propagation with γ = 7
We consider the existence of a solution for the point-source spherical blast wave propagation caused by instantaneous explosion in case the ratio γ of the specific heats of the gas is 7. No similarity solutions of the Eu...