2013.B.3.4 NIUSAT – A Generic Student Nano-Satellite

Author(s)

Krishnaswamy Marappa (1), Ganesan Ramu (1), Selvan Nambi (1)

Noorul Islam University, India

Session

B.3

Keywords

NIUSAT, MWiFs,MOCM

Abstract

The Noorul Islam Centre for Higher Education (NICHE) under Noorul Islam University (NIU) is designing, developing and building a Nano-satellite with two imaging payloads for ocean and agricultural applications. The imageries from NIUSAT payloads can be used for locating the potential fishing zones in and around the coasts of kanyakumari district in india on a day-to-day basis, for identifying the agricultural diseases of the crops around that region and for providing data for disaster management support system.

The NIUSAT is being realized in a modular configuration. The main frame module accommodates all the housekeeping sub-systems like Power, TM, TC, OBC, Transmitter, Receiver and AOCS elements. The payload module on top accommodates both the payloads. The payload module is designed such a way that it can accommodate different payloads for other applications mission like Environmental, Astronomical and Communication. The miniature version of three band Ocean Color Monitor (MOCM) and Miniature Wide Field Senor (MWiFS) are accommodated in the payload module of NIUSAT.
The NIUSAT is of size 270X270X270 m3 and weighs about 12 Kg. The power system comprises of 4 deployable solar panels which can generate about 40 Watts power and two numbers of 5 AH Li-on batteries to provide power during eclipse period.
The NIUSAT is 3 axes stabilized using sun sensors, magnetometer, MEMS gyroscopes, miniature reaction wheels and magnetic torquers. Provision is given for two miniature star sensors and a pulsed plasma thruster to improve the attitude accuracy and to alter the orbit.
Redundant On-Board Computer (OBC) is planned for AOCS, TM, TC, power management and distribution functions. UHF/VHF transceiver with deployable monopole antenna is provided for TM/TC functions. An S-band transmitter with patch antenna is provided for the payload data transmission. Global Position System receiver along with on-board orbit propagator is planned for orbit determination. 32 GB data storage is provided to store the payload data at 4 Mbps and transmit to ground at 1 Mbps data rate.
An optional data compression is provided to enhance the imaging efficiency. A ground segment comprising VHF TM data reception, UHF TC transmitter, S-band ground station, a data processing system and mission control center are being established at NIU.
The realization of NIUSAT involves the students and staff of NIU with guidance of ISRO and shall be launched by PSLV.