Category:Satellites - Revision history

Amyzheng: New edits to Sats page

2026-04-10T20:30:44Z

New edits to Sats page

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:30, 10 April 2026
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	Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-avionics satellites-avionics]		Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-avionics satellites-avionics]

	Subteam Leads: ~~Kaitlyn Leitherer~~ and ~~Da-Hee Kim~~		Subteam Leads: Clara Zhen, Kale Suarez, and Nimalan Anbhuarasan

	The avionics subteam focuses on all of the hardware on the satellite that makes the electronics system work! This "bus" hardware includes power, compute, and sensing systems. Our current flight computer, the central computer of the satellite that handles all information coming in and out and executes commands, is a modified PyCubed microcontroller that runs our CircuitPython flight code. The satellite is powered by a solar power system based off of the LT3652 chip and some NCR18650B batteries, and it also includes a sensing system with sun sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and thermistors to measure temperature.		The avionics subteam focuses on all of the hardware on the satellite that makes the electronics system work! This "bus" hardware includes power, compute, and sensing systems. Our current flight computer, the central computer of the satellite that handles all information coming in and out and executes commands, is a modified PyCubed microcontroller that runs our CircuitPython flight code. The satellite is powered by a solar power system based off of the LT3652 chip and some NCR18650B batteries, and it also includes a sensing system with sun sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and thermistors to measure temperature.
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	Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-mission-control satellites-mission-control]		Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-mission-control satellites-mission-control]

	Subteam Lead: ~~Mason Matich~~		Subteam Lead: Jason Jiang

	Like the name suggests, we are developing a mission control center (just like NASA!) to receive and process data from our satellite, as well as be able to send it commands and downlink files from space! Most mission control efforts are based in Durand - SAMWISE communicates over two different radio bands (UHF and S-Band) so we have one antenna on the roof for each, as well as supporting stuctures, control electronics and software. There are also lots of ongoing efforts to automate storing the sata, as well as commanding the satellite.		Like the name suggests, we are developing a mission control center (just like NASA!) to receive and process data from our satellite, as well as be able to send it commands and downlink files from space! Most mission control efforts are based in Durand - SAMWISE communicates over two different radio bands (UHF and S-Band) so we have one antenna on the roof for each, as well as supporting stuctures, control electronics and software. There are also lots of ongoing efforts to automate storing the sata, as well as commanding the satellite.
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	Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-software satellites-software]		Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-software satellites-software]

	Subteam Leads: ~~Jopseph Shetaye~~ and ~~Pietro Marsella~~		Subteam Leads: Ayush Garg and Luis Cantoran

	The software team is responsible for (obviously) all the code that runs on the satellite! This primarily includes our main flight computer code, as well as the code that runs on the Raspberry Pi imaging payload. The code was formerly written in python, but as of October 2024, we are rewriting most of flight code in C for greater robustness!		The software team is responsible for (obviously) all the code that runs on the satellite! This primarily includes our main flight computer code, as well as the code that runs on the Raspberry Pi imaging payload. The code was formerly written in python, but as of October 2024, we are rewriting most of flight code in C for greater robustness!
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	Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-structures satellites-structures]		Slack channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-structures satellites-structures]

	Subteam Leads: ~~Anish Bayya~~ and ~~Mason Matich~~		Subteam Leads: Eric Sun and Malcolm Smith

	Hi! This is the structures subteam, where we design and build the core mechanical components of the satellite. The structure holds everything together and allows for the satellite to fit into CubeSat standard deployers, which push the satellite out of the spacecraft in orbit. If you're interested in mechanical engineering this is definitely the subteam for you, but of course everyone is welcome!		Hi! This is the structures subteam, where we design and build the core mechanical components of the satellite. The structure holds everything together and allows for the satellite to fit into CubeSat standard deployers, which push the satellite out of the spacecraft in orbit. If you're interested in mechanical engineering this is definitely the subteam for you, but of course everyone is welcome!
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	= Missions =		= Missions =
	== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==		== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==
	Our current mission is ~~SAMWISE~~, a 2U CubeSat ~~(10cm x 10cm x 20cm rectangle) with a bunch of super cool technologies. It is~~ planned to launch on Transporter-15 in ~~late 2025! Some big ticket items:~~		Our current mission is Samwise, a 2U CubeSat planned to launch on Transporter-18 in October 2026. It features 2 radios (UHF and X-band), 3 cameras, deployable structures, and a new ADCS system.

	* Thrusters 🚀
	* Selfie stick 🤳 with 12MP cameras
	* Deployable structures ~~(solar panels that fold out!)~~
	* High power radio
	* It's literally twice as big as our last satellites so it must be twice as good right?
	== Past Missions ==		== Past Missions ==
	<big>''Website documenting all past Sapling series missions: [https://saplingsat.org saplingsat.org]''</big>		<big>''Website documenting all past Sapling series missions: [https://saplingsat.org saplingsat.org]''</big>

Clauer: /* Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) */

2026-04-04T22:39:40Z

Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS)

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:39, 4 April 2026
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	[[File:Magnetorquer.jpg\|thumb\|A magnetorquer board from Sapling-2; those lines are the coils of wire that generate a magnetic field!]]		[[File:Magnetorquer.jpg\|thumb\|A magnetorquer board from Sapling-2; those lines are the coils of wire that generate a magnetic field!]]
	Slack Channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-adcs satellites-adcs]		Slack Channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-adcs satellites-adcs]

			Subteam Leads: Maya Davis and Ezri Chen Adelsbach

	Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite and combine this information to roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a torque on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.		Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite and combine this information to roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a torque on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.

	We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards, '''we're developing reaction wheels and thrusters (!!!)''' for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite very precisely. The thrusters we're working on are vacuum arc thrusters, which work by ionizing a solid metal propellant and then accelerating those ions with a magnetic field. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!		We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards, '''we're developing reaction wheels and thrusters (!!!)''' for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite very precisely. The thrusters we're working on are vacuum arc thrusters, which work by ionizing a solid metal propellant and then accelerating those ions with a magnetic field. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!

	~~'''Note: The ADCS project is (for now) unlike the other teams, and tends to have more irregular meetings - stay tuned for updates!'''~~

	= Missions =		= Missions =

Niklasv: /* Satsurdays and Team Meetings */

2024-10-03T21:45:47Z

Satsurdays and Team Meetings

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 3 October 2024
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	== Satsurdays and Team Meetings ==		== Satsurdays and Team Meetings ==
	We have team-wide meetings '''every Saturday at ~~11am~~ in [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hj8P2qSLKHK18MRk6 ES3]'''! ~~Before each meeting we'll also have '''brunch at 10am at Lakeside''' before walking over to ES3.~~ Satsurdays is a great opportunity to come together as a group and get everyone on the same page, and it's also where we most often make big announcements. In addition to Satsurdays, each of our subteams have weekly meetings which you can find in the Satellites Events Calendar.		We have team-wide meetings '''every Saturday at 12pm in [https://maps.app.goo.gl/hj8P2qSLKHK18MRk6 ES3]'''! Satsurdays is a great opportunity to come together as a group and get everyone on the same page, and it's also where we most often make big announcements. In addition to Satsurdays, each of our subteams have weekly meetings which you can find in the Satellites Events Calendar.

	== What is a CubeSat? ==		== What is a CubeSat? ==

Niklasv: /* Website documenting all past Sapling series missions: saplingsat.org */

2024-10-03T21:45:21Z

Website documenting all past Sapling series missions: saplingsat.org

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:45, 3 October 2024
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	* It's literally twice as big as our last satellites so it must be twice as good right?		* It's literally twice as big as our last satellites so it must be twice as good right?
	== Past Missions ==		== Past Missions ==
			<big>''Website documenting all past Sapling series missions: [https://saplingsat.org saplingsat.org]''</big>
	~~=== '~~''Website documenting all past ''Sapling~~'''''~~ series missions~~'''~~: [https://saplingsat.org saplingsat.org]''~~' ===~~

	=== ''Sapling Giganteum'': 2022–2023 ===		=== ''Sapling Giganteum'': 2022–2023 ===

Niklasv at 21:44, 3 October 2024

2024-10-03T21:44:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:44, 3 October 2024
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	= Satellites Notion 🛰️ =		= Satellites Notion 🛰️ =
			This wiki page is not updated frequently - we keep more up-to-date information, including some technical docs, on our [https://www.notion.so/ssisatellites/SSI-Satellites-863253fa587c44ce8469cbedadb9ae15 Notion Page]
	~~===~~ This wiki page is not updated frequently - we keep more up-to-date information, including some technical docs, on our [https://www.notion.so/ssisatellites/SSI-Satellites-863253fa587c44ce8469cbedadb9ae15 Notion Page] ~~===~~

	= Getting Started with Satellites 🛰️ =		= Getting Started with Satellites 🛰️ =
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	We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards, '''we're developing reaction wheels and thrusters (!!!)''' for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite very precisely. The thrusters we're working on are vacuum arc thrusters, which work by ionizing a solid metal propellant and then accelerating those ions with a magnetic field. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!		We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards, '''we're developing reaction wheels and thrusters (!!!)''' for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite very precisely. The thrusters we're working on are vacuum arc thrusters, which work by ionizing a solid metal propellant and then accelerating those ions with a magnetic field. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!

	~~======~~ Note: The ADCS project is (for now) unlike the other teams, and tends to have more irregular meetings - stay tuned for updates! ~~======~~		'''Note: The ADCS project is (for now) unlike the other teams, and tends to have more irregular meetings - stay tuned for updates!'''

	= Missions =		= Missions =

Niklasv at 21:44, 3 October 2024

2024-10-03T21:44:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:44, 3 October 2024
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	{{Nowrap\|Welcome to the SSI Satellites Team! Whether you're an incoming frosh, tired old senior, graduate student, alumni, or even not a part of the Stanford community, we're glad you're here. Our current mission is SAMWISE, a 2U CubeSat set for launch next year that is pushing the boundaries of our team's technological capability. Our Satellite Team Leads are }} {{Leadership\|Satellites = true}}		{{Nowrap\|Welcome to the SSI Satellites Team! Whether you're an incoming frosh, tired old senior, graduate student, alumni, or even not a part of the Stanford community, we're glad you're here. Our current mission is SAMWISE, a 2U CubeSat set for launch next year that is pushing the boundaries of our team's technological capability. Our Satellite Team Leads are }} {{Leadership\|Satellites = true}}
	__TOC__		__TOC__

			= Satellites Notion 🛰️ =

			=== This wiki page is not updated frequently - we keep more up-to-date information, including some technical docs, on our [https://www.notion.so/ssisatellites/SSI-Satellites-863253fa587c44ce8469cbedadb9ae15 Notion Page] ===

	= Getting Started with Satellites 🛰️ =		= Getting Started with Satellites 🛰️ =

Niklasv: New information for 2024-25

2024-10-03T21:42:12Z

New information for 2024-25

Show changes

Raigosa: Remove time for Systems since it will consistently change

2024-01-28T22:19:47Z

Remove time for Systems since it will consistently change

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:19, 28 January 2024
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	Subteam Lead: kinda everyone!		Subteam Lead: kinda everyone!

	The systems subteam is the subteam for everyone! We focus on making sure all the different pieces of the satellite work together and juggle the demands of various other subsystems. For example, our payload needs a certain amount of power but so does our ADCS system; the systems subteam is where these two groups can come together and work out who gets the available resources. In addition to these kinds of engineering discussions, we also work on administrative and operational topics. ~~This Fall quarter we'll be having systems meetings '''every Tuesday at 7pm''', location TBA!~~		The systems subteam is the subteam for everyone! We focus on making sure all the different pieces of the satellite work together and juggle the demands of various other subsystems. For example, our payload needs a certain amount of power but so does our ADCS system; the systems subteam is where these two groups can come together and work out who gets the available resources. In addition to these kinds of engineering discussions, we also work on administrative and operational topics.
	= Missions =		= Missions =
	== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==		== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==

Theo24: /* Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) */ added preliminary meeting times

2023-10-05T20:07:34Z

Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS): added preliminary meeting times

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:07, 5 October 2023
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	Subteam Lead: Grant Regen		Subteam Lead: Grant Regen

			Meetings: Thursday evenings in ES3 (with Avionics)

	Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite and combine this information to roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a torque on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.		Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite and combine this information to roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a torque on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.
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	Subteam Lead: Hunter Liu		Subteam Lead: Hunter Liu

			Meetings: Thursday evenings in ES3 (with ADCS)

	The avionics subteam focuses on all of the hardware on the satellite that makes the electronics system work! This "bus" hardware includes power, compute, and sensing systems. Our current flight computer, the central computer of the satellite that handles all information coming in and out and executes commands, is a modified PyCubed microcontroller that runs our CircuitPython flight code. The satellite is powered by a solar power system based off of the LT3652 chip and some NCR18650B batteries, and it also includes a sensing system with sun sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and thermistors to measure temperature.		The avionics subteam focuses on all of the hardware on the satellite that makes the electronics system work! This "bus" hardware includes power, compute, and sensing systems. Our current flight computer, the central computer of the satellite that handles all information coming in and out and executes commands, is a modified PyCubed microcontroller that runs our CircuitPython flight code. The satellite is powered by a solar power system based off of the LT3652 chip and some NCR18650B batteries, and it also includes a sensing system with sun sensors, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and thermistors to measure temperature.
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	Subteam Lead: Niklas Vainio		Subteam Lead: Niklas Vainio

			Meetings: Tuesday evenings after systems meeting (with Structures)

	Welcome to the payload subteam! The payload often defines the mission of the satellite, so it's basically the most important part :) These payloads can be anything from telescopes like Hubble to communication systems like Starlink. Our recent satellites have largely focused on low-cost camera systems and radio modules. This subteam covers a huge variety of topics, so no matter your interests definitely join the Slack and reach out!		Welcome to the payload subteam! The payload often defines the mission of the satellite, so it's basically the most important part :) These payloads can be anything from telescopes like Hubble to communication systems like Starlink. Our recent satellites have largely focused on low-cost camera systems and radio modules. This subteam covers a huge variety of topics, so no matter your interests definitely join the Slack and reach out!
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	Subteam Leads: Jacob Mukobi, Siolé Mayeski, and Jeremy Merritt		Subteam Leads: Jacob Mukobi, Siolé Mayeski, and Jeremy Merritt

			Meetings: Tuesday evenings after systems meeting (with Payload)

	Hi! This is the structures subteam, where we design and build the core mechanical components of the satellite. The structure holds everything together and allows for the satellite to fit into CubeSat standard deployers, which push the satellite out of the spacecraft in orbit. If you're interested in mechanical engineering this is definitely the subteam for you, but of course everyone is welcome!		Hi! This is the structures subteam, where we design and build the core mechanical components of the satellite. The structure holds everything together and allows for the satellite to fit into CubeSat standard deployers, which push the satellite out of the spacecraft in orbit. If you're interested in mechanical engineering this is definitely the subteam for you, but of course everyone is welcome!

Theo24: /* Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) */ Updated subsystem description with info about thrusters, simplified the rest of it, made small changes elsewhere

2023-10-02T15:51:20Z

Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS): Updated subsystem description with info about thrusters, simplified the rest of it, made small changes elsewhere

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:51, 2 October 2023
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	=== Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) ===		=== Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) ===
	[[File:Magnetorquer.jpg\|thumb\|A magnetorquer board from Sapling-2; those ~~tiny~~ lines are the coils of wire that generate a magnetic field!]]		[[File:Magnetorquer.jpg\|thumb\|A magnetorquer board from Sapling-2; those lines are the coils of wire that generate a magnetic field!]]
	Slack Channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-adcs satellites-adcs]		Slack Channel: [https://ssi-teams.slack.com/messages/satellites-adcs satellites-adcs]

	Subteam Lead: Grant Regen		Subteam Lead: Grant Regen

	Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite~~; by combining~~ information ~~from all six sides, we can~~ roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite~~, and thus which direction we're pointing~~. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a ~~force~~ on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.		Welcome! As it says in the name, the ADCS subteam is focused on two major parts of our on-orbit operations: figuring out the orientation of the satellite, and controlling this orientation. This is a super important part of any satellite, especially ones that takes pictures like ours. For our past missions we've used sun sensors for our attitude determination and magnetorquer boards for control. The sun sensors measure how much light is hitting each of the six sides of the satellite and combine this information to roughly determine where the sun is in relation to the satellite. Magnetorquer boards spin the satellite by creating a magnetic field that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. This interaction creates a torque on the satellite, spinning it around an axis.

	We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards ~~for a 2U~~, we're ~~also~~ developing reaction wheels for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite ~~due to the conservation of angular momentum~~. ~~Since the angular momentum of the satellite stays the same~~, ~~when you spin the disk in one direction the satellite spins in the opposite direction! This allows us to control~~ which ~~way the satellite points~~ with a ~~lot more precision than just with magnetorquers~~. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!		We have a BUNCH of projects for this subteam for the upcoming SAMWISE mission! In addition to creating new magnetorquer boards, '''we're developing reaction wheels and thrusters (!!!)''' for more precise pointing ability. Reaction wheels are small spinning disks attached to electric motors that rotate the satellite very precisely. The thrusters we're working on are vacuum arc thrusters, which work by ionizing a solid metal propellant and then accelerating those ions with a magnetic field. We're also developing a star tracker for our attitude determination, which takes pictures of the stars and figures out where the satellite is pointing. There's tons of super cool stuff happening with this subteam, so definitely join the slack to get started!

	=== Avionics ===		=== Avionics ===
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	= Missions =		= Missions =
	== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==		== Current Mission: SAMWISE ==
	Our current mission is SAMWISE, a 2U CubeSat (10cm x 10cm x 20cm rectangle) with a bunch of super cool technologies. Stay tuned.		Our current mission is SAMWISE, a 2U CubeSat (10cm x 10cm x 20cm rectangle) with a bunch of super cool technologies. Stay tuned for more info, but here's some big ticket items:

			* Thrusters 🚀
			* Selfie stick 🤳 with 12MP cameras
			* Deployable structures (solar panels that fold out!)
			* High power radio
			* It's literally twice as big as our last satellites so it must be twice as good right?
	== Past Missions ==		== Past Missions ==