Design and Performance Validation of CETSAT Sensor Module Fabricated Using COTS for Low Earth Orbit Application

In this work, design, development and testing of a sensor module for small satellite application using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components was performed in connection with the student satellite programme of College of Engineering Trivandrum (CETSAT). Various initiatives to democratize space missions have been implemented all over the world. Indeed, COTS components are finding their way into small satellites lately as they lead to significant cost reductions and are easily available. It involves using industrial and automotive-grade electronics and other elements from nontraditional space markets. Such components are particularly useful in missions on a small-time frame or budget. Testing the space-worthiness and long-time durable data collection while in orbit of these COTS is an important preliminary step to be carried out prior to the launch of a full-fledged satellite. The payload constructed by College Of Engineering Trivandrum is a sensor module composed of a 3-axis magnetometer with associated breakout board as well as four temperature sensors to obtain the attitude and temperature information, respectively. The deployment of the magnetometer also helps in confirming the effectiveness or lack thereof in the magnetometer-only approach. A ground station was designed and set up to receive data from the satellite module and calibrate its performance with the data obtained by the ground station of Indian Space Research Organization. The chosen sensors were passive sensors and it is hypothesized that such sensors have a lower chance of failure in the Thermovac and Vibration tests as well as in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The details of the design, fabrication and testing are presented in this paper and inferences of the performance of COTS sensors in simulated environments of LEO were made.