Space and Satellite Systems
Overview
Space and Sattelite Systems was my entry into the word of cubesats. Cubesats are small sattelites that many students and companies use to test research ideas and sometimes to certain simpler tasks. Cubesats are exctremely cheap to launch as they all adhere to a set of NANORACKS guidelines for a universal launcher. Our cubesats primary mission was to test the use of computer hard disk drives as an alternative to expensive reaction wheels as they both possess a balanced mass.
Categories
Aerospace
Cubesats (Satellite)
Date
Sep 2022
-
May 2025
Running a cubesat team's Mechanical Department.
As the Structures Lead, I spearheaded a complete redesign focused on three key areas: reducing weight, seamlessly integrating subsystems, and creating a modular framework for future missions.
Using PTC Onshape, I organized weekly design sessions where our team brainstormed and developed a modular rail system anchored by shoulder bolts. This system allowed us to reconfigure components without any tools—a huge win for Electrical accessibility.
Another improvement was consolidating to one universal mount that could be adapted across all of our smaller subsystems, cutting the number of unique manufacturing operations by 30%.
I also overhauled the mounting systems for the battery, antenna, and hard disk drive. Each redesigned mount was rigorously tested by our mechanical analysis and thermal analysis teams to ensure they could handle the stresses of launch, and material was reduced where possible.
The leadership team :D Lots of great friends and memories
Space and Satellite Systems
Overview
Space and Sattelite Systems was my entry into the word of cubesats. Cubesats are small sattelites that many students and companies use to test research ideas and sometimes to certain simpler tasks. Cubesats are exctremely cheap to launch as they all adhere to a set of NANORACKS guidelines for a universal launcher. Our cubesats primary mission was to test the use of computer hard disk drives as an alternative to expensive reaction wheels as they both possess a balanced mass.
Categories
Aerospace
Cubesats (Satellite)
Date
Sep 2022
-
May 2025
Running a cubesat team's Mechanical Department.
As the Structures Lead, I spearheaded a complete redesign focused on three key areas: reducing weight, seamlessly integrating subsystems, and creating a modular framework for future missions.
Using PTC Onshape, I organized weekly design sessions where our team brainstormed and developed a modular rail system anchored by shoulder bolts. This system allowed us to reconfigure components without any tools—a huge win for Electrical accessibility.
Another improvement was consolidating to one universal mount that could be adapted across all of our smaller subsystems, cutting the number of unique manufacturing operations by 30%.
I also overhauled the mounting systems for the battery, antenna, and hard disk drive. Each redesigned mount was rigorously tested by our mechanical analysis and thermal analysis teams to ensure they could handle the stresses of launch, and material was reduced where possible.
The leadership team :D Lots of great friends and memories
Space and Satellite Systems
Overview
Space and Sattelite Systems was my entry into the word of cubesats. Cubesats are small sattelites that many students and companies use to test research ideas and sometimes to certain simpler tasks. Cubesats are exctremely cheap to launch as they all adhere to a set of NANORACKS guidelines for a universal launcher. Our cubesats primary mission was to test the use of computer hard disk drives as an alternative to expensive reaction wheels as they both possess a balanced mass.
Categories
Aerospace
Cubesats (Satellite)
Date
Sep 2022
-
May 2025
Running a cubesat team's Mechanical Department.
As the Structures Lead, I spearheaded a complete redesign focused on three key areas: reducing weight, seamlessly integrating subsystems, and creating a modular framework for future missions.
Using PTC Onshape, I organized weekly design sessions where our team brainstormed and developed a modular rail system anchored by shoulder bolts. This system allowed us to reconfigure components without any tools—a huge win for Electrical accessibility.
Another improvement was consolidating to one universal mount that could be adapted across all of our smaller subsystems, cutting the number of unique manufacturing operations by 30%.
I also overhauled the mounting systems for the battery, antenna, and hard disk drive. Each redesigned mount was rigorously tested by our mechanical analysis and thermal analysis teams to ensure they could handle the stresses of launch, and material was reduced where possible.
The leadership team :D Lots of great friends and memories
