During aircraft design, rough models are required to guide the conceptual design phase. Engine performance is particularly hard to predict due to complexity of engines and lack of available information. Our project aims to develop a tool to approximate engine behavior from easily accessible manufacturer data.
Propulsion systems on CubeSats are becoming common. As CubeSats go further than low Earth orbit, reaction control systems are necessary to control the attitude of the spacecraft and perform orbital maneuvers. In collaboration with Cal Poly CubeSat Laboratory, Maverick Space Systems is developing a propulsion system for 6U CubeSats that will use resistojets to flash water propellant to steam. In particular, Danny and Walden were tasked with the development of the avionics that will control the valves and heaters of the system, accepting commands, and relaying telemetry and sensor readings back to the spacecraft’s onboard computer. Through the SURP, the goal was to prepare for the manufacturing of a proof of concept test to be run in October 2020.
