SP-SAT: DEVELOPMENT OF AN EDUCATIONAL SATELLITE

Abstract

n Bolivia, as in several other Latin American nations, there is a growing trend of burgeoning space projects and a rising interest among young students in the aerospace domain. Consequently, there arises an imperative to cultivate a new generation of space professionals. However, the exorbitant costs associated with the equipment utilized in these projects render them inaccessible to a vast majority of inter- ested students, including CubeSat kits, educational satellites, satellite kits, among others. Consequently, alternatives like educational sat- ellites have emerged to simulate the satellite design, construction, testing, launch, and operation processes on a scale conducive to student involvement. The primary challenge faced by students lies in integrating the essential subsystems of a satellite, encompassing power supply, sensors, and communication systems, within the confines of limited space. Considering this, the design and construction of an educational satellite with its respective signal reception equipment was developed. The equipment designed and manufactured is a low-cost one so that universities and educational centers could acquire it. This equipment educational kit is called SP-SAT (Space Program — educational satellite kit). This real satellite simulator offers a wide variety of educational activities. The kit’s equipment is distributed in two systems: 1) Space Segment, which consists of an Onboard Computer (OBC), Electrical Power System (EPS), Communications System (COMM), Experiment Plate (PYL), Complete PLA plastic structure (3D printed), rods, bolts, and nuts. 2) Ground segment: This segment includes all the equipment that is part of the ground station, which will receive data from the satellite.