CubeSat and CanSat Development and Demonstration

Abstract

In modern science, satellites have become a fundamental technique for communication, navigation and exploration of Earth or planets. Most countries are turning to develop their own satellites with their own technology for better communication, navigation and military purposes. Compared to demand in these sectors with lower consistency in research and development, it is essential for the student, engineers and researchers who aspire to contribute to this sector, also interested to know how nano or miniature satellites CubeSat and CanSat are manufactured and operated. The limitation can be overcome by developing CubeSat and CanSat which consists of all the real systems of a space satellite. To earn sufficient knowledge about nano or miniature satellites, CubeSat and CanSat development can be the foundation of learning, facing a lot of challenges and experimental results can be utilized in big satellite development-related projects. This study proposes a complete development, mechanism, design, and assembly of the payload and subsystems to the ground station of CubeSat and CanSat. The CubeSat and CanSat I made have different functionalities. The CubeSat is mainly designed for Earth exploration and observation purpose and have a communication system (CS), Electrical Power System (EPS), Onboard computer system (OBC), Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), Antenna, Camera and Payloads. Additionally, different sensors have been used to measure temperature, air pressure, humidity, altitude and battery voltage. After starting up CubeSat automatically established communication to the ground station and start telemetry. The CanSat is a simulation satellite which is developed and designed which have a GPS sensing system for location, a compass sensing system for heading, and radio frequency communication module for ground station communication and different sensing systems to measure temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, altitude and battery voltage. Additionally, a drone flight technique approach is also designed and examined known as the ComeBack mission of the CanSat by GPS navigation and it can be returned to the ground station automatically. The main difference between CubeSat and CanSat are extensively studied and discussed. Also, a development process, testing and experimental analysis of both CubeSat and CanSat is presented in this study.