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DARTSAT
is a Student Initiated, program of space
satellite design at the |
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The
program applies the Thayer School's interdisciplinary philosophy of
engineering education to developing viable space systems and an in-house
knowledge of space design and the space environment. DARTSAT's
first project is the development of a modular Low Earth Orbit Satellite
of a mass of less than 1 kg. The system will provide basic power, control,
and communications capability to small, single purpose experiments.
DARTSAT is intended to be produced in large numbers, allowing for modular
experimental packages to be "snapped-in" when researchers are presented
with suitable launch opportunities. Its small size and independent communications
capability will also allow for the development of distributed satellite
arrays.
DARTSAT Generation I
is the first
satellite of the series. Its purpose is to test custom on-board communications
transceivers and the communications capability that is critical to the
success of a satellite of this size. It will return satellite internal
and environmental data to be used in the development of future generations
of the satellite. In addition, DARTSAT Gen I will server as an orbiting
repeater station usable by an active amateur radio community.
DARTSAT Generation II upgrades
the control and power management capabilities of DARSAT
Generation I and will perform the first scientific experiments of the program to test the modular payload architecture. |
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