Launch of the Da Vinci Satellite

Space flight is indispensable in everyday life. Not only does it play a large role in modern society, it is crucial for understanding phenomena in and on Earth. By becoming acquainted with space flight from an early age, children can become inspired and motivated to discover what space has to offer them.

The project

In honour of the 15th lustrum of the study association VSV ‘Leonardo da Vinci’, the ambitious project of launching a CubeSat was brought to life. Our goal: to inspire and enthuse the youth of the Netherlands for technology and space flight, while emphasizing the impact of space flight on our society. To accomplish this, a multidisciplinary group of over 55 students form the TU Delft is developing the CubeSat, together with educational modules. The biggest financial hurdle of this project is still to overcome: the launch of the satellite into space.

Crowdfunding goal: the launch

To get the satellite into space, it must be transported by a rocket. For a small satellite like ours, multiple satellites are launched in one rocket. In the space world this is known as a ‘piggyback launch’. As you can imagine, a launch does not come cheap. After negotiating with multiple launch providers, we were able to get a good deal while ensuring safe launch. We have been able to fund a large part of the launch through various companies and funds, but there is still a small financial gap left. With your help we can fill this gap!

The satellite

Together with various companies, our technical team has developed a state of the art CubeSat. The solar powered satellite will contain two payloads: a dice game, developed by the Leidse instrumentenmakers School (LiS) and a bit flip module, a memory card on which the data stored is subjected to cosmic radiation. These payloads serve as a cornerstone for the educational modules.

Educational modules

Two educational modules, linked to the two payloads, are developed. One will be used for primary schools, and the other is a computer science module for high schools. The primary school module provides general knowledge on space and technology. A story-based game has been developed for use in the classroom, which can also be used for homework or outside the curriculum. The high school module is placed in the course computer science and has two tracks: track 1 focuses on orbital mechanics and radiation, while track 2 focusses on error detection and correction.

With your donation, we can realise this project and inspire the upcoming generation.

The main goal of our project is to give back to society. Therefore we chose to equip our satellite with two educational payloads: one for primary schools and one for high schools. These payloads will bring space into the classroom. Children and teenagers will learn about and research the secrets of space with this satellite.

Primary school

Before developing the primary school module, we asked primary school students what they wanted to do in space. Their answer: play a game. To this cause we developed a dice module together with the Leidse instrumentenmakers School (LiS). With this module, primary school students will be able to play games in space. Through an interactive game we developed, the students can go on a mission to learn about the moon, the sun, Mars, the ISS and other satellites, and immerse themselves in the world above our heads.

Secondary school

The high school module addresses the course of computer science. The CubeSat is equipped with a bit flip module, on which data files (such as images) are exposed to cosmic radiation. This radiation interacts with the electric circuits of the memory card and will flip the ones and zeros (a one flips to a zero or vice versa). The education module accommodates two tracks. Track 1 emphasises orbital mechanics and radiation. In this track the student learns about communication with the satellite and forces working on the satellite. Track 2 covers error detection and correction. In this track, students will learn how they can detect errors in data files and how to obtain the original data.

These two modules make sure that space is being taught about in our schools and that children and teenagers with an interest in space can deepen their knowledge.

Space travel is indispensable in everyday life these days. It is of social importance that people understand what is happening to the earth. By becoming acquainted with space travel from an early age, children can become inspired and motivated to discover the world. This may have to do with technology, global warming, or sustainability.

The Da Vinci Satellite carries two payloads and consists of various components. An overview can be seen in the image below. The size of the whole satellite will be the same size as a milk carton!

Payloads

The primary school payload is the dice game, designed by the Leidse instrumentenmakers School (LiS). The dice are placed in a transparent chamber and are able to move freely in microgravity. To determine the values of the dice, one of the walls of the chamber is pushed towards the dice, trapping the dice between the two walls. A picture of the dice is taken and sent back to Earth.

The high school payload is the bit flip module, which is used to illustrate the effects of cosmic radiation on digitally stored data. An image can be sent to the satellite, which is stored there. Due to cosmic radiation, the bits (zeros and ones) that contain the image data can be flipped. A zero can become a one or vice versa. The image is sent back after a certain amount of time and the effect of cosmic radiation can be observed. This information is used to teach students about the effects of radiation on data.

To ensure proper functioning of the payloads, communication with Earth and a stable orbit, the satellite requires a number of components next to the payload.

Subsystems

The component controlling the satellite is the onboard computer, or OBC. This computer is to the satellite, as the brain is to the human body. Software is developed and transferred to this OBC to ensure functioning of the satellite and the payloads.

The altitude determination and control system, or ADCS, is the system ensuring the orientation of the satelliet, making sure that it will not spin too fast. It can measure the magnetic field of the Earth, the inertia of the satellite, and sunlight. Three onboard flywheels and three onboard electromagnets allow for stabilisation of the satellite if necessary.

To communicate with Earth, the satellite is equipped with antennae and a transceiver, a device that transmits and receive signals.

The whole system is powered by a 5 volt power source that is regulated to secure a production of 3.5 volts.