CHASQUI - I

Chasqui I is a one-kilogram nano satellite project that was launched from the International Space Station during a spacewalk on August 18, 2014. The concept satellite was equipped with two cameras, one for visible light and one infrared, equipped to take photos of the Earth.

The Chasqui I was developed by students at Peru's National University of Engineering (UNI) with assistance from the Russian Southwest State University (SWSU), Kursk. It was part of an educational project to acquire the experience and ability in developing satellites.

The name of the project refers to the ''Chasqui'', who served as messengers in the Inca Empire.

General objectives

Most of UNI's objectives in satellite technology were completed through nanosatellite Cubesat. Plans for the satellite Chasqui I included taking pictures of the Earth, with transmission to a ground station.

Specific objectives include:
* Establish contact 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

The Nanosatellite Chasqui I research project is a satellite developed by students at the National University of Engineering based on CubeSat technology. The satellite is small, weighing less than 1 kg and it has a volume of up to 1 Lt. The project was designed to image Peruvian land using a CMOS camera that seeks to distinguish between fertile land and uncultivated areas. As a student project, Chasqui I was constructed using commercial components. It uses amateur radio frequency, making it possible to be located throughout the country. The Chasqui I students also developed a ground station that allows for remote monitoring of the satellite, as well as satellite's of other universities.

Peru has 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. UNI, with its project Chasqui I, are taking steps in the process of addressing problems such as crop monitoring and telecommunications areas.

Outline of the Project Development Modules

Project Modules

Mechanical Structure – EMEC

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.

The pico-satellite contains the following modules:
*Central Control and Management Information (CCMI)
*Unit Power and Thermal Control (PCT)
*Communications System (SICOM)
*Imaging Management System (SIMA)
*System Identification and Attitude Control (SDCA)

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 (SDCA): Orders and confirms, stabilization 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

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 were 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

The main objective of the research group is to obtain photographs of the Earth from Chasqui I. SIMA The module consists of two cameras, one 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

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 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 magnetorquers 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

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

This module aims to simulate the trajectory of Chasqui I, which is calculated using differential equations of motion, which are then solved in parallel using 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

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

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

References

External links

National University of Engineering
Home of the 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.

{{Use American English, date=January 2014

Student satellites
CubeSats