Space

3-Axis Reaction Wheel System for CubeSats

The goal of this project is to create a functional 3-Axis reaction wheel system for CubeSats through Cal Poly CubeSat Lab based off of preliminary design and research done by a previous Cal Poly masters student. A CubeSat is a very small satellite, around the size of a loaf of bread, that is developed and launched into space for education, research, or scientific purposes. A reaction wheel is a critical component of attitude (or orientation) control of a satellite that consists of a flywheel attached to a motor. When spun, the reaction wheel imparts a change in momentum (or impulse) on the satellite in order to adjust the satellite’s attitude in all three axes of orientation.

Space Suit Attachment Quick Release System

Our senior project was based around a NASA Micro-g NExT Design Challenge to design, build, and test a spacesuit attachment quick release system. It is comprised of two components: the utility belt component and the EVA tool component, which interface to secure the tool to the belt.