The small satellite, which is still in the first stage of development, will collect data on weather, radiation and other space conditions for use by university researchers. It is scheduled to launch as a secondary payload on a rocket next year as part of the National Aeronautic Space Administration’s CubeSat Launch Initiative.
In launching the satellite, West Virginia University will collaborate with NASA’s Independent Verification and Validation program, the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and Fairmont-based TMC Technologies.
“This is a major step for our institution and our state,” said Majid Jaridi, director of the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium and professor of industrial and management systems engineering at WVU. “An activity of this scale helps build WVU’s reputation in the fields of astronautics, physics and space and helps expand interest and opportunities in science and technology throughout the state.”
University researchers will use the satellite to study the effect of radiation on electronics when they are minimally protected in space. Satellite components are usually shielded to protect from dust, extreme temperatures and other hazardous elements found in the vacuum of space.
“We understand how these devices work in lab simulations on Earth,” said Dimitris Korakakis, professor of computer science and electrical engineering. “Our goal is to test their operation and endurance in space. If the findings show that these devices can operate without shielding, it could improve design and make satellites lighter.”
Researchers also will study solar weather and how it affects spacecraft and satellites in orbit as well as power-grid systems on Earth.
The university and its partner group submitted the satellite proposal last year. In February, NASA selected West Virginia’s proposal along with 13 others to be launched next year. West Virginia is the only selected state to not have previously launched a satellite, earning it the mission’s sole “rookie” status.
In addition to the university’s input, local engineers will be part of the team developing the satellite.
TMC Technologies, an information technology services company that contracts with the U.S. Departments of Justice and Defense as well as NASA, will lead that arm of development.
Scott Zemerick, a systems engineer for TMC who runs simulations on NASA spacecraft, said the company’s software will be used to demonstrate how simulations can reduce risks and improve mission success.
He said West Virginia University chose what experiments to conduct and what data to collect while TMC will write software that the satellite will use to perform those operations and transmit information back to Earth. The company also will assemble the craft.
“Space application of our software is new for us,” he said. “Our team has experience in robotics and unmanned vehicles and all that comes into play in this satellite, but we haven’t done anything in space before.”
Zemerick said the biggest hurdle his team must overcome is accounting for the environment of space.
“We’ll have to deal with periods of light and no light,” he said. “That’ll come into play when we figure out how to power the batteries while in orbit.”
Zemerick said temperature is another condition that could become problematic.
“The satellite will experience both extreme heat and cold,” he said. “And sometimes at the same time.”
Zemerick said the satellite is small — about the size of a loaf of bread — and made with low-cost components.
The project officially got its start in March. Over the next several months, the satellite will be assembled before undergoing months of testing before its launch date of May 6, 2016.
While the scheduled launch is still a year away, TMC has already started adapting software based on an existing Goddard Space Flight Center program. The company also has started purchasing parts for the satellite chassis. Zemerick said the parts for the satellite cost about $100,000. Developing the mission is expected to cost more than $200,000.
Zemerick expects the satellite to be fully assembled by the end of the year.
The launch is part of the White House Maker Initiative and a larger push to launch 50 small satellites from all 50 states within the next five years.
In addition to providing research opportunities for West Virginia University students, the project will be used to promote science, technology, engineering and math education across the state.
©2015 the Charleston Daily Mail (Charleston, W.Va.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.