Founded in 2010, UMSATS’ CubeSats division is an interdisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate students that design and build a 3U nanosatellite.
We compete in the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (CSDC). In the fourth iteration of the competition, our satellite TSAT-4 took first prize. TSAT-6 followed that up with a joint-first place at the sixth CSDC.
Competition
The Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (CSDC) is a Canada-wide competition with select guest universities across the world focused to design, build, test, and launch of a 3U cubesat into lower earth orbit. The competition has three phases: Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), and Final Environmental Testing, and runs on a 2-year cycle. The CSDC is currently in its seventh iteration.
Subsystems
Payload
The payload consists of the scientific experiment that is being tested in low earth orbit, and will determine the operational requirements for the rest of the satellite system. The current experiment on the latest T-SAT involved characterizing Anabaena Cylindrica (algae) in low earth orbit to explore their applications as bio-reactors in life support systems for long duration space flights.
ADCS
The Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) is responsible for controlling the orientation of the satellite in space as required by the on-board scientific experiments. It uses a variety of sensor readings to determine the current orientation of the satellite and then drive actuators to point the satellite’s scientific components to their respective targets
Power
The Power system is responsible for implementing an efficient energy source for the satellite using solar panels to harvest energy from the Sun and charge batteries to drive the mission. In addition, the designs include smart algorithms to control the distribution of power throughout the satellite.
CDH
The Software team is responsible for writing software for satellite operations. This includes both software aboard the satellite to interface with CDH and other subsystems, as well as code to be used on the ground to aid communication and data processing.
Mechanical
The Mechanical team is responsible for the structural and thermal aspects of the satellite. The structure consists of an aluminum frame as well as placement and mounting of components inside the satellite to satisfy launch constraints. The structure also deals with the mechanical implications of the antenna and solar panel deployment and protection of all systems during the launch sequence. The thermal system ensures that all components on the satellite remain within their operating temperature ranges throughout the mission. The system uses passive insulators, smart placement of components, and some active components for delicate payload elements.
Communications
The Communications system is responsible for sending payload data to the ground and receiving commands from the ground station using Amateur Radio bands. This includes the design and implementation of the transmitters, receivers, antenna, and beacon for the mission that will use the 70cm Amateur Radio band for communications.
Software
The Command and Data Handling (CDH) system is responsible for the flight computer hardware and software. This includes designs and implementations of the microprocessor, accompanying peripherals, and the bus structure to communicate with the rest of the components on the satellite. The CDH system is responsible for the scheduler that runs specific tasks on the satellite.
Meet the team
Project Manager Co-Lead
Logan Furedi / logan.furedi@umsats.ca
Project Manager Co-Lead
Fuzail Shah / fuzail.shah@umsats.ca
ADCS Lead
Juwairiah Zia / juwairiah.zia@umsats.ca
CDH Co-Lead/ Promos Co-Lead
Daigh Burgess / daigh.burgess@umsats.ca
CDH Co-Lead
Graham Driver / graham.driver@umsats.ca
Comms Lead
TBD
Payload Co-Lead
Shaylyn Pelikys / shaylyn.pelikys@umsats.ca
Payload Co-Lead
William Kozakewich / william.kozakewich@umsats.ca
Payload Co-Lead
Jascha Petersen / jascha.petersen@umsats.ca
Power Co-Lead/ President
Emma Lowen / emma.lowen@umsats.ca
Power Co-Lead/ Business Lead
Paul Manzano / paul.manzano@umsats.ca
Software Lead
Logan Furedi / logan.furedi@umsats.ca
Mechanical Co-Lead
Arden Prouse / arden.prouse@umsats.ca
Mechanical Co-Lead/ Promos Co-Lead
Joshua Bond / Joshua.Bond@umsats.ca
HR Manager
Tavleen Kainth / tavleen.kainth@umsats.ca
Co-Treasurer
Ian Anderson / ian.anderson@umsats.ca
Co-Treasurer
Ayush Singla / ayush.singla@umsats.ca
Program Manager
Zackary Louttit / zackary.louttit@umsats.ca