University of Southern California USC Astronautics and Space Technology Division The USC Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering USC
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USC Satellite Program

Overview
Philosophy
“Smaller is Smarter”
Deliverables
  1. New Science and Technology
  2. USC Astronautics graduates have Experience
The USC Microsatellite Program provides opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students in Astronautics and other disciplines to participate in space technology research and development.  Students involved in the program learn practical skills in engineering design in a hands-on manner. 

Examples of Previous Projects:
Traveler Lite – “MEMS” Technology Demonstrator Test Flight
  • New Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology development for space.
  • Subset of five MEMS based payloads:
    • Knudsen compressor (Vacuum pump/Compressor)
    • Free Molecule Micro Resistojet (FMMR) electric propulsion thruster
    •  FMMR propellant tank
    • Accelerometer, Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) product
    • Magnetometer (COTS sensor based)
Traveler-Lite was launched in conjunction with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).
CanSat – A soda-can sized micro-satellite
  •  Incorporates all functional components of a large satellite:
    • Power system, structure, sensors, thermal, data acquisition, telemetry!
    • Students design, build and launch these CanSats to collect their experimental data.  They learn and gain experience.
  • A platform to perform experimental space science.
  • Launched by a rocket (up to 20 miles)…
  • …ejects from launch vehicle at apogee…
  • ...floats down under parachute whilst transmitting data to ground station…
  • …CanSat is recovered, and reused.
CanSat hardware:
  • Global Positioning System (GPS)
  • Temperature sensor
  •  Pressure sensor
  •  Color camera (640x480)
  •  20 mile wireless transceiver
  •  Removable on-board data storage

Astronautics is a multi-disciplinary field and as such students take classes across a broad spectrum of topics.  In the Microsatellite program, students have many opportunities to test their skills, and gain valuable practical experience while developing space related hardware.  Students can be involved in:
  • Mechanical design and test
  • Software engineering and development
  • Electronics and Embedded systems engineering and development
  • Systems engineering