Chasqui I

Chasqui I

Mission type	Scientific
Operator	National University of Engineering
Website	www.chasqui.uni.edu.pe
Spacecraft properties
Bus	1U CubeSat
Launch mass	1 kilogram (2.2 lb)
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Low Earth

Chasqui I is a late-2000s one-kilogram nanosatellite project that was launched by hand during a spacewalk on August 18, 2014 from the International Space Station. The concept satellite was intended to be equipped with two cameras, a visible and an infrared, which could take photos of the Earth.

The Chasqui I was being developed by students at UNI and was part of an educational project that seeks to acquire the experience and ability in developing satellites. UNI in collaboration with the European Space Agency was working on Chasqui II satellite and other project is the UNI-KURSK microsatellite developed in collaboration with the University of Kursk (Russia).

General objectives

Capacities of UNI in satellite technology through the design, analysis, assembly, integration, test, launch and operation of a technology nanosatellite Cubesat. The satellite Chasqui I plans included taking pictures of the earth with transmission to a ground station.

Specific objectives include:

• Establish contacts and support to other universities and / or institutions involved in such projects.
• To deepen the knowledge in information and communications technologies emerging.
• To lead such projects in Latin America.
• To demonstrate and validate new technologies.

Goals include:

• Design of the project profile.
• Funding.
• Capacity building.
• Implementation of the Laboratory.
• Development of the project.
• Testing integrated.
• Guidelines.
• Operation

Project

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Chasqui I in space

The nanosatellite Chasqui I research project is an effort to secure Peru's access to space, along with the previous launched satellites, and gives the opportunity to open new application areas specific to its own geographical and social reality. It is also from an academic point of view a tool that facilitates collaboration between the various faculties of the university trains students and teachers with real world experience in satellite, allowing technological advances in the aerospace industry in the country. The development of small-scale satellites like Chasqui I gives way to the various opportunities of access to space with lower costs and development time. For this reason, various universities, companies and government organizations in the world show interest in developing nanosatellites that allow to carry out experiments and scientific missions. The educational benefits of the project can be emphasized in training camp for future engineers and scientists.

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Chasqui I logo

The research project Chasqui I nanosatellite built a miniaturized satellite based on the CubeSat technology, the mass of the satellite is less than 1 kg and it has a volume of up to 1 Lt. The project demonstrates its utility in imaging land, more specifically from the Peruvian region, using a CMOS camera that seeks to distinguish between fertile land and uncultivated areas. To minimize the cost of development and construction, Chasqui I was constructed using commercial components. However, the very fact of using these components in a space environment presents new challenges in relation to tolerance to temperature and radiation and also presents increased requirements in areas related to redundancy when designing hardware and software components. Additionally, Chasqui I will use the amateur radio frequency, making it possible to be accessed by an entire amateur radio community can be located throughout the country, increasing the educational potential of the project. The project also includes the implementation of a ground station that allows monitoring of Chasqui I, as well as monitoring other small satellites of universities.

Peru has a large geographical diversity, which makes it very difficult to constantly monitor the situation of certain events, whether natural or man-made, such as permanent snow melting, deforestation of the Amazon, the protection of habitats of endangered species, combating narco-terrorism, surveillance of borders and territorial sea, the prediction and mitigation of natural disasters, etc. It is in this context that space technology is presented as an alternative to solve problems of national interest. UNI, with its project Chasqui I, are taking steps in the process of addressing problems such as crop monitoring and telecommunications areas.

The project Chasqui I, which initially was formative in nature, has evolved into a technological and scientific challenge for all members of the project. It is expected that Chasqui I allows to plant the foundations for future work in the area of small satellites and, to be increasing their size or number, give rise to satellite projects in different categories, in areas such as: communications, meteorology, remote sensing, earth images, navigation and oceanography.

Outline of the Project Development Modules

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Outline of the Project Development Modules

Project Modules

Mechanical Structure – EMEC

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Displacement

The research group module mechanical structure (EMEC) is responsible for reviewing the state of art, comparative analysis of existing cases to the pico-satellite design and manufacture our own model based on the Standard Cubesat.

Within the pico-satellite will be assembled the following modules: Central Control and Management Information (CCMI), Unit Identification and Attitude Control (DCA), Imaging Management System (SIMA), Unit Power and Thermal Control (PCT) and Communications System (SICOM).

Central Control and Information Management – CCMI

This module manages and monitors information from all subsystems Chasqui I. The module to meet the goals set must have within it a processor (called OBC: On Board Computer), which fulfills the following functions in each module:

• Camera (SIMA): Regulates the satellite image capture and storage in an external memory.
• Attitude (DCA): Order and confirms the stabilization order and spatial orientation.
• Power (PCT): Manages and monitors satellite states of physical variables such as temperature, voltage and current.
• Communication (SICOM) ground station receives orders and sends the information of camera data and pico-satellite states

The data managed are: Data from the camera, Data Maintenance and commands.

Power and Thermal Control – PCT

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Energy Cycle Chasqui I

The first subsystem is the Power and is responsible for receiving, processing, storing and distributing power to other subsystems in the Chasqui I. The objective of this subsystem is to ensure electricity supply for Chasqui I give it the energy needed at the right time.

The second subsystem is the Thermal Control and he is responsible for maintaining the temperature of the batteries and other components of the satellite in its operating range, in order to ensure the functioning of Chasqui I. The most critical task of this subsystem is to maintain the batteries to operate within its limit of operation (0 °C to 20 °C.). Through heaters specifically designed and constructed at the National University of Engineering.

Both subsystems are being designed and built at the National Engineering University.

Communication System – SICOM

The TT & C module is responsible to provide a means of communication between the peak itself and the satellite earth station.

Image Acquisition System – SIMA

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SIMA

The main objective of the research group is to obtain photographs of the Earth from Chasqui I. SIMA The module consists of two cameras, a visible range and the other in the near infrared range. Digital information is collected by the Central Control Module and Management Information (CCMI) and then sent to the Earth Station (ESTER).

Additionally, the Group is responsible for processing digital images obtained by the Chasqui I.

System Identification and Attitude Control – SDCA

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System Identification and Attitude Control

The SDCA maintains the pico-satellite stabilization and guidance to a desired direction when necessary. Specifically, we can say that SDCA is responsible for:

• Stabilize the pico-satellite after leaving the deployer through reduction (within 0.1rad / s) and control their angular velocities.
• Maintain a pointing accuracy of 3 degrees for taking pictures of Peru and, if technically possible, having a wide coverage of South America through maneuvers of 30 degrees in roll (roll) and 30 degrees pitch (pitch).
• Maintain a less demanding pointing accuracy (e.g. 20 degrees) to enable up / down data between the pico-satellite and ground station.

The SDCA enables the pico-satellite by using sensors to determine its attitude, calculate the correction required to achieve the desired orientation and execute the necessary maneuvers using the actuators. The attitude determination system will use magnetometers, sun sensors and attitude determination algorithms for estimating positions and angular velocities. Using GPS and gyroscopes as sensors for determining attitude will also be evaluated. The attitude control system will use electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets as actuators, forming what are known as magnetorquers. The electromagnetic coils are especially important for the stabilization of the pico-satellite once it leaves the deployer. The inclusion of the permanent magnet can have a system of active-passive control. More than one control law will be studied for possible implementation. The use of magnetic materials and hysteretic also be evaluated.

Ground Station – ESTER

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Block Diagram – ESTER

This subsystem is not part of the satellite itself, but its existence and operation is necessary to achieve the objectives of Chasqui I. The set of facilities and wireless communication (radio) needed to communicate with the Chasqui I, and any satellite.

The main functions of this module are:

• Follow-up: radioforo hear the beacon or satellite for its position.
• Telemetry: Request state variables (temperature, voltage, etc..) To monitor and validate the satellite orbit calculation.
• Commando: Order to extend the satellite antenna; order reset the system, order the taking and sending photos.

System Orbits – SORS

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Trajectory of Chasqui I

The module aims to simulate the trajectories of Chasqui I, which is previously calculated differential equations of motion and then solve them in parallel with two programs: Delphi and Matlab.

This simulation is accomplished by taking into consideration the following phases:

• Considering the Earth as an inertial reference system, the quadrupole term of the gravitational potential and using Newton's second law, we obtained the equations of motion are nonlinear equations.
• Using the Runge-Kutta of order 4 with the Delphi program to solve the equations of motion energy remaining constant.
• Phase 2 was repeated with the Matlab program and with this software are carried out trajectory simulations Chasqui I.

Module Integration and Testing – MIP

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MIP

The module aims to achieve the assembly of components developed by different modules of the project as electronic circuit boards, cameras, batteries, antennas, sensors, and electromagnetic coils.

This goal can be achieved:

• Optimizing surfaces, volumes, masses, finding center of gravity, center of mass.
• Planning and conducting standardized testing requirements.
• Perform field tests planned in the project.

See also

• List of CubeSats

External links

• National University of Engineering Home of this public university located in Lima Peru.
• CTIC – UNI Center for Information & Communication Technologies (CTIC-UNI).
• Project Official Site Chasqui 1 All information relating to the project.