Engineering Commons^™

New Electrified Transportation Research Center Opens At Usu | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

News Release – LOGAN, UTAH, Sept. 22, 2016 – A first-of-its-kind transportation research center is opening its doors for business on the Utah State University campus. SELECT, the Sustainable Electrified Transportation Center, brings electrified transportation industry members and leading engineering researchers together to develop holistic solutions to global electrified transportation.

Usu Engineering Students Take 2nd Place In Autonomous Vehicle Race | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Sept. 20, 2016 – A student team from Utah State University’s College of Engineering brought home a second place prize from the national Autonomous Vehicle Competition held Sept. 17 in Niwot, Colo.

The USU AVC team, a group organized by the IEEE student branch, took second place in their weight category and sixth place overall. The AVC is an annual event hosted by Sparkfun that brings engineers and makers together in a competition to build the best vehicle capable of navigating an obstacle course autonomously with no human intervention.

A Clear Solution: Electrical Engineering Researcher Prints Transparent Antenna Onto Glass | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

News Release – LOGAN, UTAH, Sept. 20, 2016 – A researcher at Utah State University is one step closer to solving a complex problem that has puzzled the space industry for decades: How do you equip space satellites with high-gain antennas without the added weight and mechanical complexity of a bulky dish?

Reyhan Baktur, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at USU, has developed an innovative solution. She demonstrated how a high-gain antenna can be printed directly onto a satellite’s solar panel. Using a materials printer and conductive ink, she and her team can print a variety of …

Dod Awards Usu Computer Science Faculty For Supporting Student Airman | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

News Release – LOGAN, UTAH, Sept. 9, 2016 – The Defense Department’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program on Friday recognized a Utah State University faculty member for his support of a student who serves in the Utah Air National Guard.

Analysis Of The Electric Vehicles Adoption Over The United States, Ali Soltani-Sobh, Kevin Heaslip, Aleksandar Stevanovic, Ryan Bosworth, Danilo Radiviojevic

Applied Economics Faculty Publications

Increasing the use of electric vehicles (EVs) has been suggested as a possible method to decrease fuel consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in an effort to mitigate the causes of climate change. In this study, the relationship between the market share of electric vehicles and the presence of government incentives, and other influential socio-economic factors were examined. The methodology of this study is based on a cross-sectional/time-series (panel) analysis. The developed model is an aggregated binomial logit share model that estimates the modal split between EV and conventional vehicles for different U.S. states from 2003 to 2011. The results …

A New Tool For Wetland Management | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

News Release – Sept. 1, 2016 – In arid Utah, marshy wetlands — with their aquatic life and migratory birds — are among the most cherished natural resources in the state.

Propulsion Theory Of Flapping Airfoils, Comparison With Computational Fluid Dynamics, Doug F. Hunsaker, W. F. Phillips

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

It is shown that the time-dependent aerodynamic forces acting on a flapping airfoil in forward flight are functions of both axial and normal reduced frequencies. The axial reduced frequency is based on the chord length, and the normal reduced frequency is based on the plunging amplitude. Furthermore, the time-dependent aerodynamic forces are related to two Fourier coefficients, which are evaluated here from computational results. Correlation equations for these Fourier coefficients are obtained from a large number of grid- and time-step-resolved inviscid computational-fluid-dynamics solutions, conducted over a range of both axial and normal reduced frequencies. The correlation results can be used …

University Of Wisconsin-Madison Honors Usu Engineering Professor | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

NEWS RELEASE – Aug 26, 2016 – A Utah State University associate professor of electrical and computer engineering has been named among the most influential alumni to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Scale Effects In Physical Piano Key Weirs Models, Sébastien Erpicum, Blake Tullis, Maurine Lodomez, Pierre Archambeau, Benjamin Dewals, Michel Pirotton

Publications

With inertia and gravity representing the dominant forces for most open channel flow applications (e.g. weir flow), Froude similitude is commonly used for scaling hydraulic performance data from the model to prototype structures. With weir flow, as the upstream head decreases, however, the relevance of surface tension and viscosity forces can increase to the point when the model and prototype similitude is not fully achieved through Froude scaling. Such discrepancies are referred as size-scale effects, and among other things, can result in variations in the head–discharge relationship, nappe trajectory, and air entrainment. Published criteria for avoiding significant size-scale effects for …

Dr. Elizabeth Vargis To Present At Tedxusu | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Aug. 12, 2016 – Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering Dr. Elizabeth Vargis will present at this year's TEDxUSU. Now in its fifth year, TEDxUSU will be held Oct. 28 in the Manon Caine Russell Kathryn Caine Wanlass Performance Hall on USU’s Logan campus.

High Voltage Power Supply Design For Photo Multiplier Tube, Anand Antony, Nikunj Agrawal

Small Satellite Conference

CubeSats are playing a vital role in the development of new compact technologies for small satellites and because of their promising potential, the CubeSats have been widely embraced by universities for conducting space research projects. IITMSAT is a student driven Nano-satellite embraced by IIT Madras leading to the development of Space-based Proton-Electron Energy Detector (SPEED). It is a payload that is being developed to be launched on-board IITMSAT. The scientific objective of the payload is to gather data on the variations in the charge particle flux below the inner Van Allen radiation belts. SPEED is designed to obtain energy spectra …

Iov Mission Of A Mini-Hall Effect Thruster (Het), On-Board S-50 Micro-Satellite Class Platform, V. Stanzione, N. Melega, T. Misuri

Small Satellite Conference

SITAEL HT-100 Hall Effect Thruster (mini-HET) is one of the smallest and lowest power HET ever developed in Europe, whose performance and characteristics represent the state-of-the-art of this technology (power range between 140 and 300W, covering thrust levels from 5 to 15 mN). For HT-100 IOV purpose, SITAEL proposes to embark it (with relevant propulsion S/S built around) on its micro-platform (namely S-50, already used in the frame of ESA ESEO Project), which is a low cost/rapid development/qualified platform, ideal for IOD/IOV missions. A specific in-orbit validation mini-HET operative profile has been identified and acts as a main driver for …

Multi-Point Measurements Of The Aurora With A Cubesat Swarm, J. Brent Parham, Aleks Zosuls, Brian Walsh, Joshua Semeter

Small Satellite Conference

Space weather research is data-starved and small satellites offer an opportunity to the community. Over the past few years, Boston University’s Center for Space Physics has been developing a 6U CubeSat that deploys a small swarm of magnetometers to measure the fine-scale structure of the Birkeland currents that create the Aurora. By using direct three-axis measurements, spatially distributed, we hope to probe the plasma currents and fuse the data with other data products from ground-based optical and radio measurements. Boston University’s broad expertise in space physics and engineering systems offers a strong platform to foster a close relationship between those …

Cubesat Handling Of Multisystem Precision Time Transfer, Nathan Barnwell, Watson Attai, Lucas Bassett-Audain, Maria Carrasquilla, John Chavez, Jon Dewald, Olivia Formoso, John Hanson, Belgacem Jaroux, Asia Nelson, Tyler Noel, Anh N. Nguyen, Seth Nydam, Ken Oyadomari, Jessie Pease, Cedric Priscal, Tyler Ritz, Steven Roberts, Paul Serra, Jan Stupl, Evan Waxman, Jasper Wolfe, John W. Conkin

Small Satellite Conference

No abstract provided.

Constellation Design Considerations For Smallsats, Andrew E. Turner

Small Satellite Conference

Design, implementation and operation of constellations using Smallsats are discussed. Due to the modest budgets allocated for these small spacecraft, economic considerations are paramount and optimal results must be obtained with a minimum number of spacecraft. Favorable orbits, preferably low Earth orbits (LEO) with minimum inclination, reduce launch cost and optimize Earth observation and communications, however mission requirements and/or rideshare opportunities may involve higher altitude and/or inclination. Candidate orbits including circular LEO with equatorial near-zero inclination, moderate inclination, polar and sun-synchronous inclinations are considered. The focus is on 600 km altitude since this lies within the regime currently used by …

Silicon Carbide Optical Telescopes In "Small Satellite" Constellations, Flemming Tinker, Chip Ragan, Alberto Bodden, Kevin Dahlberg

Small Satellite Conference

Optical telescopes are used in small satellites for imaging and laser applications serving markets such as earth resources, marine monitoring, communications and weather forecasting. Aluminum and glass are traditional materials used in telescope optical components but have mass and/or thermal properties that impact launch cost and on-station optical performance.

In constellation applications where a telescope is the primary payload, both the telescope and any required thermal mitigation mass becomes a large cost consideration due to its multiplication by the number of satellites launched and launch cost per kg. The use of alternate telescope materials that reduce mass and/or thermal sensitivity …

The Time For Scots Has Come, Johan Leijtens, Johan Uittenhout, Alexander Los, Torsten Vogel

Small Satellite Conference

With all major European primes starting to work on programs >100 satellites in 2015 the time for Space grade Commercial Off The Shelf components has come. For many years there have been discussions on costs savings by offering COTS components and especially the cubesat community knows several vendors that offer space systems in a COTS fashion. None of these component however qualify for the extreme requirements posed by the current constellations under design as most of them have to operate above 1000 km and are preferred to have a 10 to 15 year lifetime. This leads to several megarads of …

Design Of Cubesat Solar Panels Considering Acoustic Pressure, Devin Bunce, Erik Kroeker, Alex Ghosh, Victoria Coverstone

Small Satellite Conference

CubeSats are becoming increasingly complex. New innovative technology allows for more powerful computational capabilities and more complex science instruments. With strict mass requirements CubeSats need to cut weight from structural material as much as possible while maintaining mission integrity to maximize mass to electronics and instrumentation. Once in space the system is not under much stress and does not require much structural integrity; however, during launch the rocket produces a tremendous amount of sound, averaging around 160 dB in the local area. This acoustic pressure can crack solar cells if the array wall deflects too much.

The University of Illinois …

Magnetic Substance Disturbance Torque Caused By Shape Magnetic Anisotropy And Its Applications In Small-Sized Satellites, Takaya Inamori, Nobutada Sako, Ryu Funase, Shinichi Nakasuka

Small Satellite Conference

This study presents the magnetic substance disturbance torque caused by shape magnetic anisotropy. This magnetic substance disturbance occurs in on-board unsymmetrical magnetic substances, even if the magnetic substance does not have a residual magnetic dipole moment. Although this magnetic substance disturbance torques has not been considered in previous small-sized satellites, in some cases, the strength of the disturbance is stronger than the effect of aerodynamic and solar radiation disturbances. First, this study presents the strength and effects of the magnetic substance disturbance torque in Cubesat satellites: XI-IV and PRISM in the University of Tokyo. Then, the study shows that the …

Nitesat: A People-Powered Science Mission, Ken Walczak

Small Satellite Conference

The Far Horizons space program at the Adler Planetarium is designing, building, and will operate NITESat (Night Imaging and Tracking Experiment Satellite), a 2U CubeSat mission supported by a robust education and public outreach effort. The primary science mission of NITESat is to capture high-resolution, three-color, nighttime imagery of the Midwestern United States to quantify and characterize the nature and intensity of light pollution across the region. The motto of the Adler Planetarium is “Join Us In Exploring Space,” and the NITESat mission firmly embraces this concept with students, interns, and volunteers embedded in every stage of the design, build …

The Role Of Emulation In Constellations Of Small Satellites, Randy Culver

Small Satellite Conference

Small satellites have become mainstream. New ventures are deploying constellations of small satellites that are being networked to perform remote sensing, image collection, and internet routing. This paper describes how a scalable, system-level emulation plays a key role when fielding and flying a new constellation of small satellites.

It's an understatement to say that designing, implementing, and validating a system employing a dozen, a hundred, or a thousand satellites is complex. There's inherent risk "scaling up" the number of deployed small satellites from few to many. Engineering analysis and testing cannot be deferred until there's a full constellation in orbit. …

Lean Satellite Concept, Filippo Graziani, Mengu Cho

Small Satellite Conference

In 2014, International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) initiated Study Group (SG) 4.18, "Definition and Requirements of Small Satellites Seeking Low-Cost and Fast-Delivery". Its objectives of the study group are to examine the definitions of small satellites, identify the requirements every satellite should follow and then reflect some of the findings to an ISO standard draft ISO/WD/20991, "Space systems - Requirements for Small Spacecraft" that is being developed recently at ISO/TC20/SC14. The purpose of the present paper is to present the latest findings in the SG activity especially in terms of small satellite definition.

During the SG meeting in 2014, a …

Cubesat Model-Based Systems Engineering (Mbse) Reference Model –Model Distribution And Application –Interim Status #2, David Kaslow, Bradley Ayres, Michael Chonoles, Samuel Gasster, Laura Hart, Chris Massa, Rose Yntema

Small Satellite Conference

Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is a key practice to advance systems engineering that can benefit CubeSat missions. MBSE creates a system model that helps integrate other discipline specific engineering models and simulations.

The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) established the MBSE Initiative to promote, advance, and institutionalize the practice of MBSE. The INCOSE Space Systems Working Group Challenge team has been investigating the applicability of MBSE for designing CubeSats since 2011.

Our application of MBSE uses System Modeling Language (SysML), a graphical modeling language, to model all aspects of a system either directly or through an interface with …

Introduction To Nasa's Academy Of Aerospace Quality, Alice Smith, Jeffrey Smith

Small Satellite Conference

The NASA Academy of Aerospace Quality (AAQ) is an internet-based public domain forum of quality assurance-related educational modules for students and faculty at academic institutions targeting those involved in aerospace research, technology development, and payload design and development including Cube Sats, Small Sats, Nano Sats, Rockets and High Altitude Balloons. The target users are university project and research teams but the academy has also been used by K-12 teams, independent space activists, NASA contractors and other governmental agencies including those abroad. The interactive - web portal contains a curriculum structure of 50 diverse technical topics such as workmanship, systems engineering, …

Enhancing Cubesat And Small Satellite Reliability Through Improved Thermal Management, Steven Isaacs, Diego Arias, Mike Hulse, Mark Lake, Derek Hengeveld

Small Satellite Conference

The interest in the use of CubeSat and small satellites for commercial, government and military applications continues to grow. Particularly in Low Earth Orbit, the successful deployment of commercial electronics has allowed dramatic reductions in cost and dramatic improvements in performance. These benefits leverage the R&D and production infrastructure of terrestrial electronics companies that dwarf the traditional space supply base. However, questions remain on the specific levels of reliability that can be achieved using hardware that was designed and tested for use in a very different environment compared to traditional space components that are designed for and tested to environmental …

Large Square-Loop Antenna Deployment From Cubesats, Angela Cleri, Ralen Toledo, Austin Fruithandler, Brandon Goudy, Jacob Mingear, Norman Fitz-Coy

Small Satellite Conference

The small-scale nature of CubeSats presents a challenge for researchers looking to integrate large antennas that are suited for experiments using very low frequencies (VLF, 3-30 kHz). Loop antennas hold several advantages over monopole and dipole voltage probes because they are not subject to the same size restrictions. Monopoles and dipoles have to be larger to achieve the same gain and performance as loop antennas. Conversely, loop antennas hold a disadvantage in that they require stiffeners to maintain the loop structure which poses challenges in both stowage and deployment. To address these challenges, the University of Florida has been developing …

Energy-Cognizant Scheduling Of Store-And-Forward Communications With Multiple Priority Levels In Nanosatellite Systems, Cherry Y. Wakayama, Peter J. Yoo, Zelda B. Zabinsky

Small Satellite Conference

We derive an autonomous scheduling system for low earth orbiting store-and-forward communications nanosatellites (nanosats). Nanosats receive messages of different sizes and priorities, and the nanosat scheduling system determines when to deliver complete or partial messages to associated destinations. The optimal schedule considers nanosat limitations in terms of size, power, onboard data storage, energy capacity and contact time windows. In this paper, we first formulate a binary linear program to optimize a single-satellite resource-constrained message delivery schedule. Since a large-scale binary integer program is computationally intensive, we develop an approximation algorithm based on a time-indexed formulation and mean busy time objective …

Ors Responsive Manufacturing 6u Spacecraft, Jillian Marsh, Eric Stroka, George Moretti, Quinn Young, Jim Perry, Dean Wada, Matt Jeppesen, Matt Felt, Bryan Hansen

Small Satellite Conference

The Operationally Responsive Space Office is developing a small satellite capability and small satellite design specifically for advanced manufacturing and assembly methods for a semi-automated assembly and test facility. Designing a small satellite to be assembled and tested with this novel and innovative approach enables reduced costs, schedule, and risk. This presentation will discuss the implementation, unique design features, lessons learned, and challenges associated with developing for this new rapid-assembly capability as well as the unique benefits and challenges of assembly and test using automated, robotic systems. The presentation will also include discussions of the role that design-for-manufacturing, modular open …

Robust, Radiation Tolerant Command And Data Handling And Power System Electronics From Nasa Goddard Space Flight Center, Hanson Nguyen, James Fraction, Melyane Ortiz-Acosta, George Dakermanji, Bradford P. Kercheval, Amri Hernandez-Pellerano, Leonine S. Lee, David S. Kim, David S. Jung, Steven E. Meyer, Udayan Mallik, Kurt D. Rush, Faramarz Farid, James C. Olsen, Pietro A. Sparacino

Small Satellite Conference

In today's rapidly advancing technology roadmap for space applications there is an emphasis on completing missions faster and cheaper than previous large-scale missions at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) or the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission. As part of this effort, focus has shifted from using mostly radiation-tolerant or radiation-hardened parts to more commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components for missions that can last at least one year in orbit. However, there are some portions of a spacecraft's avionics, such as the command and data handling (C&DH) system and the Electrical Power Systems (EPS) that …

Project: Lunasonde, Jeremiah Pate

Small Satellite Conference

LunaSonde is a 6U CubeSat mission with the objective of exploring the moon while testing several new technologies. It is also a potential contender for the NASA CubeQuest Challenge. Although low earth orbit has been revolutionized by nanosatellite design, deep space/ lunar exploration have varied little from multimillion dollar missions. In order to expand the scope of planetary exploration, we have designed an adaptable lunar nanosatellite which leverages several new technologies such as 3-D printed construction, photonic integrated chips, and a miniaturized optical communication package. LunaSonde will analyze the lunar surface with a thermal and multispectral imager, demonstrating planetary exploration …