1. HokieSat Introduction
Scott Lennox HokieSat Systems Lead May 30, 2002

2. AFRL Multi-Satellite Deployment NASA Shuttle Hitchhiker
Introduction
University Nanosatellites
Virginia Tech Ionospheric Scintillation Measurement Mission (VTISMM) aka HokieSat
Ionospheric Observation Nanosatellite Formation (ION-F)
Utah State University
University of Washington
Virginia Tech
University Nanosatellite Program
2 stacks of 3 satellites
Sponsors: Air Force Research Labs, NASA’s Goddard Flight Center
AFRL Multi-Satellite Deployment
System (MSDS)
NASA Shuttle Hitchhiker
Experiment Launch
System (SHELS)

3. Multiple Satellite Deployment System
Mission
3CS
Configuration:
ION-F
USUSat
Dawgstar
HokieSat
Scenario:
Multiple Satellite Deployment System

4. ION-F Mission
Investigate satellite coordination and management technologies and distributed ionosphere scintillation measurements
Coordinate on satellite design, formation flying, management mission development, science instruments, mission
Design and implement internet-based operations centers, enabling each university to control its satellite from a remote location

5. Design HokieSat 18.25” major diameter hexagonal prism 12” tall
39 lbs (~18 kg)
Isogrid Structure
Composite Side Panels
0.23” isogrid
0.02” skins

6. External Configuration
GPS Antenna
Crosslink Antenna
Solar Cells
LightBand
Pulsed Plasma
Thrusters
Data Port
Camera
Downlink Antenna
Uplink Antenna
Science
Patches

7. Internal Configuration
Crosslink Components
Cameras
Power
Processing Unit
Torque Coils (3)
Magnetometer
Camera
Pulsed Plasma
Thrusters (2)
Camera
Battery Enclosure
Downlink Transmitter
Electronics Enclosure
Rate Gyros (3)

8. Component Placement Side 1: Side 3 and Side 4: Side 4: Side 2: Side 5:
PPU
Aux Port
Science Patch 1 (external)
Side 2:
Torque Coil
Camera
Uplink
Science Patch 2 (external)
Side 3:
Downlink
Side 3 and Side 4:
Torque Coil
Thruster
Side 4:
Camera
GPS Preamp
S Band Filter
Side 5:
S Band Preamp
GPS Circulator/Isolator
GPS Switch
Side 5 and Side 6:
Side 6:

9. Component Placement cont.
Nadir Panel (bottom):
CEE
Rate Gyros
Battery Box
Sun Sensor (external)
Downlink Ant. (external)
Uplink Loop Ant. (external)
Zenith Panel (top):
GPS NCLT Box
Camera
Torque Coil
Magnetometer (external)
Honeycomb (external)
GPS Monopole Ant. (external)
GPS Patch Ant. (external)

10. Pulsed Plasma Thrusters
Annode
Cathode
Ultem Isolator
Mica-paper / Foil
Capacitor
Teflon Fuel Bar
Spring
Ultem 2300
Thruster Assembly
Boron Nitride
Insulator