Rhodes College awarded 2020 SPS Chapter Research Award

Zone and Chapter: Rhodes College

Project

Project Name: MMOD Hardware Testing and Communications for the Rhodes College CubeSat Program

Project Leaders: Giuliana Hofheins

Chapter Advisors: Brent Hoffmeister

Project Description: Rhodes College has undertaken a CubeSat project that will span approximately three years. This project will have students planning a CubeSat mission, designing and building the 10x10x10 cm3 CubeSat, and working with launch providers to launch the satellite into Earth orbit. Students will also build a ground station on campus to communicate with the satellite. An integral part of this ambitious plan is thoroughly testing various payload concepts before deciding which will be integrated into the spacecraft. One primary payload concept is the use of acoustic/stress sensors to measure micrometeor and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts on the CubeSat body. An SPS Chapter Research Award would allow the Rhodes College chapter to investigate different types and areas of sensors, their sensitivies to simulated MMOD impacts, and ultimately help the team choose the configuration most appropriate for the Rhodes CubeSat mission. The award would also allow for the purchase of a suitable transceiver to enable communicaiton with the Rhodes CubeSat once it is in orbit.

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