Construction of the satellite

Construction of the satellite

Cubesat

KRAKsat is a CubeSat satellite in the 1U standard – a cube with dimensions of approximately 10x10x10cm and a weight slightly exceeding 1 kilogram. CubeSats are usually fired as extra rocket payloads or become part of a space ship delivering supplies to the ISS. KRAKsat satellite will be part of the supply that will be sent to the International Space Station in April 2019. After docking to the station, it will be released into space by the lock in the Kibō module.

Comunication

Depending on the number of transceiver stations that will be located on several continents, we will be able to communicate with the satellite several times a day for a few minutes. We will then receive the package of collected data.

Most important units

KRAKsat section

Ferrofluid

Ferrofluid is a suspension consisting of tiny magnetite molecules in carrier fluid. In our experiment we will use its strong reactivity to magnetic field.

Casing of experimental system

Experimental system is constructed from 7075 aluminium alloy and placed in special steel container. Electromagnets placed around the container puts the ferrofluid into motion.

Printed Circuit Board

The PCB elements were carefully chosen, so they can work properly in wide range of temperature. Work is controlled by STM32 microcontroller, which provides low power consumption with high computing power.

Data from the orbit

Due to accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer - sensors placed in KRAKsat – we will be able to observe its location in the orbit.

Flash memory

Regular data from sensors and log files from the experiment will be held in 8MB flash memory. During communication sessions we will receive information stored in memory.

Power supply

Satellite is powered by photovoltaic panels. They will be charged during flight around the Earth in the time of exposition to the Sun, which is 60% of the passage time.

Construction

In the upper part of the satellite there is an experimental setup. The first PCB under the chip is the main PCB built by our team. It is covered with aluminum sheet, on which solar panels are placed.

The bottom part of the structure consists of power and communication systems which SatRevolution helps us to prepare. The power system includes batteries that store energy and solar panels located on the outside. Everything is connected by the skeleton with aluminum rails.

Materials

All the materials used to build the satellite are approved for exert in the space industry. We carry out tests to ensure that individual components withstand overloads associated with launching the rocket and unfavorable conditions in space.

Our experiment, a ferrofluid flywheel, requires that the elements used for its construction have no magnetic properties. The only exception are electromagnets around the system.