Educational Satellite system and a method of use thereof
First Claim
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1. An educational satellite system comprising:
- a central data handling subsystem module adapted to receive and send data and command signals, the central data handling subsystem module having a first bus connector;
a communications subsystem module adapted to receive commands and transmit telemetry, the communications subsystem module having a second bus connector;
an attitude control subsystem module adapted to determine the orientation of educational satellite system, the attitude control subsystem module having a third bus connector; and
a power subsystem module adapted to supply power to educational satellite system, the power subsystem module have a fourth bus connector;
wherein the first, second, third, and fourth bus connectors share a common configuration and are situated on the central data handling subsystem module, the communications subsystem module, the attitude control subsystem module, and the power subsystem module respectively to facilitate the operative coupling of the modules.
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Abstract
In one embodiment, an educational non-flight capable satellite is described comprising a plurality of modular subsystems that are adapted to be coupled together via standardized bus connectors and standard mechanical connectors. The educational satellite is fully functional and can be utilized for teaching satellite engineering and operation at high school through college level courses.
20 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An educational satellite system comprising:
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a central data handling subsystem module adapted to receive and send data and command signals, the central data handling subsystem module having a first bus connector;
a communications subsystem module adapted to receive commands and transmit telemetry, the communications subsystem module having a second bus connector;
an attitude control subsystem module adapted to determine the orientation of educational satellite system, the attitude control subsystem module having a third bus connector; and
a power subsystem module adapted to supply power to educational satellite system, the power subsystem module have a fourth bus connector;
wherein the first, second, third, and fourth bus connectors share a common configuration and are situated on the central data handling subsystem module, the communications subsystem module, the attitude control subsystem module, and the power subsystem module respectively to facilitate the operative coupling of the modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. An educational satellite comprising two or more functional subsystems, at least one of the two or more functional subsystems being physically separable from the at least one other functional subsystem of the two or more functional subsystems, the separate functional subsystems being adapted to couple to each other by way of a standard bus through compatible bus connectors on each separate functional subsystem, at least one separate subsystem being non-flight capable.
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25. A method comprising:
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providing one or more non-flight capable satellites, each satellite comprising two or more functional subsystems, at least one of the two or more functional subsystems being physically separable from the at least one other functional subsystem of the two or more functional subsystems, the separate functional subsystems being adapted to couple to each other by way of a standard bus; and
using the satellite in conjunction with instruction to one or more students concerning at least one of the group of (i) satellite design, (ii) satellite engineering, (iii) satellite operation, (iv) satellite fabrication, and (v) satellite testing. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of building a satellite comprising:
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providing a modular satellite kit, the satellite kit including a plurality of prefabricated modules, each module utilizing a common bus standard and including (i) standard bus connectors compatible with bus connectors of each other module, (ii) standard mechanical connectors adapted to couple the module with each other module;
testing each module to verify the functionality of the module prior to integration of the module with the other modules of the plurality of modules;
coupling each module with the other modules of the plurality of modules by way of the standard mechanical connectors and the standard bus connectors; and
testing the integrated satellite kit to verify functionality thereof. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification