CUBESAT PROTOTYPE RESOURCES

WHAT ARE CUBESATS AND CUBESAT PROTOTYPES?

CubeSats are a class of nanosatellite with a standardized size of 10cm3. They are launched into space using rocket-powered launch vehicles, or can be deployed from the International Space Station.

On the other hand, CubeSat prototypes are modeled after space-ready CubeSats. They are launched into the lower layers of Earth’s atmosphere using methods such as high altitude balloons and hobbyist rockets.

CUBESAT PROTOTYPE KIT GUIDES

The following guides were created by FIRST Global Intern Ted Wayland to assist teams with connecting and programming the microcontroller and sensors included in the 2021 CubeSat Prototype Kit.

SENSORS

Arduino and the MKR1000 WiFi Microcontroller

Arduino MKR ENV Shield

ArduCam Mini Module Camera Shield 5MP Plus

Adafruit MicroSD Card Breakout Board+

Real Time Clock Breakout Board

Digital Temperature Sensor

Grove Laser PM2.5 Particle Sensor

SparkFun Sound Detector

Adafruit Analog UV Light Sensor Breakout Board

COMPONENTS, TOOLS, AND DATA VISUALIZATION

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Rocker Switch

Electrostatic Discharge, Prototyping, and How to Use the Tools

How to Use Processing Software

LAUNCH

Weather Balloon and Launch

FIRST GLOBAL CUBESAT PROTOTYPE EXAMPLE

FIRST Global Intern Ted Wayland designed, built, and programmed a CubeSat Prototype using all of the components provided in the kit. The wiring diagram, full code, and computer-aided design (CAD) files are provided here.

cubesat

Full Wiring Diagram

Full Code for All Sensors (Document)

Full Code for All Sensors (.ino File)

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Files

ONLINE TOOLS AND INTERNET RESOURCES

FIRST Global has reviewed the following content and is presenting it for informational purposes only to support teams in the CubeSat Prototype Challenge component of the 2021 FIRST Global Challenge. Inclusion on this page does not constitute an affiliation, endorsement, sponsorship, or approval by FIRST Global of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation or organization.

If you would like to share additional resources, please send an email to support@first.global.

SkyVector

Aeronautical charts for flight planning.

Seeed

Maker of the Grove Laser PM2.5 Sensor.

highaltitudescience

High Altitude Science

Many great weather balloon resources and calculators.

Arduino

Maker of the MKR1000 WiFi Microcontroller and the MKR ENV Shield.

Autodesk Tinkercad

Autodesk Tinkercad

A free app to create and design in 3D design; program, assemble, and simulate circuits; and design using code.

SparkFun

Maker of the Sound Detector.

Adafruit

Maker of the Lithium Ion Polymer Battery, MicroSD Card Breakout Board+, and Analog UV Light Sensor Breakout Board.

ArduCam

Maker of the Mini Module Camera Shield 5MP Plus OV5642.

Fritzing

Open-source initiative offering CAD software for the design of electronics hardware.

Basic Air Data

Information on air data instruments and weather balloons.

overlook horizon

Overlook Horizon

Non-profit educational public charity organization with information on high altitude balloons.

Habhub

High altitude ballooning tools including balloon burst calculator and landing site prediction.

HAPP Research

High Altitude Photography Platform with examples of balloon harness and tether.

University of Southampton

ASTRA High Altitude Balloon Flight Planner.

FIRST Global bears no responsibility for the content of the external sites. Logos are registered trademarks of the linked corporation or organization. Use of these links is subject to the acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of each site.

Special thanks to Yale University for assisting with the CubeSat Prototype Challenge component of the 2021 FIRST Global Challenge and for its continued support of FIRST Global.