scansat

The ScanSat is a CubeSat that is docked with a Dragon-sized spacecraft. Utilizing magnetic and ion propulsion, it undocks and re-docks with the main craft autonomously. Equipped with a camera, it captures images of the spacecraft as it physically approaches interesting phenomena, as well as perform image processing to analyze the exterior. The ScanSat is reusable for an extended amount of time, as the main consumable is electric power.

This project is solving the Deep Space CamSat challenge.
Description
The ScanSat is a CubeSat that is docked with a Dragon-sized spacecraft. Utilizing magnetic and ion propulsion, it undocks and re-docks with the main craft autonomously. Equipped with a camera, it captures images of the spacecraft as it physically approaches interesting phenomena, as well as perform image processing to analyze the exterior. The ScanSat is reusable for an extended amount of time, as the main consumable is electric power.

The application was developed on April 11-12, 2015 at San Fransisco 2015 space apps challenge Hackathon.

Deliverables

Reaction wheels

Camera Hardware

Image processing software to dock the camsat to mothership

Other apps to scan/process/monitor the structural integrity of ship

Docking mechanism

Magnetic propulsion

Project Information

License: GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPL-3.0)

Source Code/Project URL: https://github.com/ksivam/scansat

Resources

Ion Engine - http://www.busek.com/index_htm_files/70011950%20RevA%20Data%20Sheet%20for%20BIT-1%20Ion%20Thruster.pdf
hardware demo video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDbrzUlAxt4

Team