NanoSat Lab

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Scientific domain PE10: Earth System Science PE9: Universe Sciences
Keywords IoT IoT communications communications earth observation nanosat lab infrastructure nanosatellites payloads tests
Home partner institution (UPC) Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Website

Website

Technical staff available Yes
Remote access details No
Remote access available No
Open to external users Yes
Equipment
  • Vibration table
  • Vacuum chamber
  • Helmholtz coils
  • Satellite tracking station in VHF-UHF bands ans band S located in the Montsec Observatory
Open access to updated information database No
Online booking system details No
Online booking system available No
Description

The facilities of the UPC NanoSat Lab of the CommSensLab specific research center, at the Department of Signal Theory and Communications of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, are designed to carry out environmental qualification tests (vibrations, and vacuum and thermal cycling) in a clean environment (Clean Room, class 8) to incorporate payloads, subsystems and small satellites (Cubesats of up to 6 units). 

Outside the clean room, there are Helmholtz coils and an air pad to carry out altitude control system tests.

In this singular multidisciplinary environment, the Nanosat Lab teaches telecommunications and electronic engineering students who implement what is known as the ‘conceive, design, implement and operate’ (CDIO) initiative.

The laboratory’s activities cover, among other items, the design and manufacture of satellite systems that include: antennas, communication systems, implementation of communication protocols, collecting and managing solar energy, high efficiency power supply, software engineering and programming, computers and fixed microcontrollers, satellite, payloads, design methods for reliable, verifiable systems, and the mission’s principles of analysis.