Conference 7.286::space

372.0. "The SURFER Satellite" by DICKNS::KLAES (This place has got everything!) Mon Nov 23 1987 08:42

From: lyang%[email protected] (Larry Yang)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,sci.physics,sci.astro,sci.electronics
Subject: SURFER: A Stanford University Student Satellite Project wants YOU!
Date: 23 Nov 87 02:41:39 GMT
 
		STUDENT SATELLITE PROJECT SEEKS DONATIONS 
		      OF TEST AND DESIGN EQUIPMENT!
 
    Graduate and undergraduate students in Stanford University's Small
Satellite Program are currently designing and prototyping an
experimental scientific satellite called SURFER (Stanford University
Radio Frequency Emissions Receiver) to be deployed on the Space
Shuttle in 1991 along with the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1) mission. 
 
    The project urgently needs development and test equipment of all
kinds. Firms, government agencies or individuals with surplus
electronic equipment, computers, spacecraft test equipment, relevant
software, etc. are encouraged to donate such equipment to the SURFER
satellite team at Stanford.  We expect that such equipment donations
would be eligible for tax benefits. 
  
		    PUBLICITY AND A CHANCE FOR ACCESS
		   TO OUTSTANDING ENGINEERING STUDENTS.  
 
    Be part of the SURFER team!  The satellite will likely fly during
Stanford's Centennial Celebration in 1991-92, with much attendant
publicity. The students on the SURFER team are Stanford's best
engineers, and are pioneering innovative engineering designs as well
as gaining extensive teamwork experience. Interested parties are
invited to call us or visit our facilities.  
 
	EQUIPMENT/FACILITIES NEEDED BY THE SURFER SATELLITE PROJECT
	-----------------------------------------------------------
 
	1. ELECTRICAL TEST AND DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT
		8086 Assembler/Development System
		Audio Waveform Generator
		Data Books (TI/Intel, etc.)
		De-soldering equipment
		Development system
		IBM-compatible computer
		Logic analyzer
		Multimeters
		Ohm-meter
		Oscilloscope, analog & digital storage
		Power Supplies (5V @5Amp, 6V, +/- 12 V @ 5 Amp)
		PROM programmer
		Software for digital design (MacIntosh/IBM)
		VHF field strength meter
		VHF signal generator
 
	3. MECHANICAL TEST AND DEVELOPMENT EQUIPMENT
		Shake table
		Small Thermo-Vac Chamber
		CAD/CAE equipment
		Video Camera and ancillary equipment (slow-motion?)
		Zero-G Simulator
 
	4. SOFTWARE
		Schematic Capture/Design/Simulation (MacIntosh,IBM,uVAX)
		CAD, Dynamic & Thermal Analysis software
		Test bench/experiment-control software
		Simulation, graphics
		Other software potentially useful on IBM, Mac, VAX, SUN
		
	5. COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
		IBM-compatible Microcomputers
		IBM peripherals (hard-disks,experiment-control cards, etc.)
		IBM software (analysis, lab controllers, simulators)
		MacIntosh Microcomputers (Plus, 512K, SE, MacII)
		MacIntosh peripherals (hard-disks, printers, etc.)
 
    Any other donations will be gratefully accepted, as well as
contributions in the form of on-site access to your
facilities/equipment.  Please pass this notice on to your colleagues,
other departments, and anyone else interested. 
 
		HOW TO CONTACT THE SURFER SATELLITE TEAM.  
 
    You may contact the SURFER student team at (415)-723-2945 (SURFER
office), or (415)-328-1771 (after hours).  Our FAX number is
(415)-723-0010 (please be sure to include OUR name and phone number on
the FAX cover sheet). 
 
Our address is: 	SURFER Satellite Project
			c/o STARLab, Durand 202
			Stanford University
			Stanford, CA 94305
 
 			EMAIL: [email protected]
 
    Specialized inquiries may be directed to Burton Lee (Deputy
Manager), David Lauben (Electrical Team Leader), or Scott Williams
(Mechanical Team Leader). Thank you very much for your interest and help. 
 
    Postscript: Project Description and work in progress:
 
		       SURFER and MISSION BACKGROUND.
 
    The SURFER satellite project is faculty-advised and
student-managed. All research and design (both electrical and
mechanical) is being done by undergraduate and graduate students.
Total cost of design and construction is estimated at around $1
million. NASA has provided $50,000 support for initial design
activities, but to take it to functional prototype level will require
much more resources which must come from other organizations. 
 
    SURFER is a 120 lb., 15" high, 17" diameter passively stabilized
satellite designed to measure plasma characteristics and
electromagnetic waves radiated from the 20 km Tethered Satellite
System (TSS-1).  SURFER will be ejected from a Get-Away-Special
canister prior to tether deployment and drift from 1 to 100 km behind
the Orbiter during the TSS-1 experiment.  SURFER has a mission
lifetime of about 50 hours and will remain in orbit several months
before it enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up. 
 
    ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATIONS SUBSYSTEMS.  Items of immediate
concern include the telemetry/command and data processing systems. 
These consist of a VHF (137MHz) radio link and distributed-CPU data
processing system on-board the Orbiter.  The radio link must support a
20 Hz - 20 kHz analog waveform and 16 kbit/sec digital stream.  Once
on-board the Orbiter, the data processing system must convert the
analog waveform to digital form, and combine it with the 16 kbit/sec
stream, MET time code, and free-flyer range data for transfer to a
high capacity data storage unit located in the Orbiter bay.  A real
time two-way command link for Satellite re-configuration is also
planned.  We intend to adapt terrestrial handheld technology for the
short-term space mission, and modify some high-capacity data storage
unit to survive the launch loads and mission environment. 
 
    Additional work is currently being done on the Spacecraft power
system, science instrument design, spin-ejector prototype, dynamical
simulation, thermal analysis, and mission planning. 
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--Larry Yang [[email protected],{backbone}!sun!lyang]|   A REAL _|> /\ |  _   _   _ 
  Sun Microsystems, Inc., Mountain View, CA      | signature |   | | / \ | \ / \
    Hobbes: "Why do we play war and not peace?"  |          <|_/ \_| \_/\| |_\_|
    Calvin: "Too few role models."               |                _/          _/