Development of Mission Control Unit Prototype for Small Class Satellite Payloads

Abstract

In this paper, Mission Control Unit (MCU) prototype for small class satellite payloads is developed with the goal of providing schools and institutions to low cost design that could be easily integrated and augmented for mission–specific needs. Basic design platform has been developed to demonstrate the proof of concept model of MCU for small satellites by using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. Many commercial companies have emerged to cater this objective however most of them provide expensive on-the-shelf solution, therefore this paper proposed a low cost, compact platform design. This paper presents the design of payload-ready prototype unit of mission control subsystem that is built on Arduino based microcontroller with wireless transmission by using COTS components. This platform is intended mainly for educational purposes, specifically to expose high school and university students or researchers to satellite engineering concept. Other than that, it is developed to provide platform for spacecraft developers, researchers and others to test their scientific missions or perform their research with reduced costs. In addition, the end-product of this project can be used for public outreach mission involving local communities of amateur radio operators and school students. This project has produced a prototype that is compatible with 2U CubeSat platform standard, requires no external wiring with all subsystems, and can be customized to perform many mission themes over amateur radio band.