TIsat-1 HB9DE

The most important payload is not what you launch, it is what you learn!

The integration and test phases of TIsat-1 have been completed.
The satellite is ready for delivery to the launch provider and the launcher.

TIsat-1 will be released to space from the launch pod (ID number XPOD19S), on PSLV-C15, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle

Orbit

  • Circular, polar, sun-synchrounous orbit.
  • Altitude: 640km
  • Inclination: 98.5°
  • Orbital periode: ca. 97min
  • Orbital data (TLE) for TIsat-1 (CelesTrak – NORAD Satellite TLE)

Communication

  • Downlink: IARU coordinated beacon frequency is 437.305MHz
  • Up-/Downlink (commands and data): 145.980MHz
  • Power: 400mW
  • Callsign: HB9DE.
    TIsat-1 periodically identifies itself by its codename TISAT radiated as Morse code (CW) at 19WPM, along with basic telemetry.

Payload

  • Monitoring of the durability of exposed thin bonding wires, PCB tracks and lines (Atomic Oxygen effects).
  • Verification of the system fault tolerance scheme.
  • Acquisition of spacecraft environment and operating data.
  • All firmware, in house developped baseband modulation schemes.

Special features

  • Redundancy in the key systems in order to resist space environment induced effects. The critical hardware functions were replicated and implemented with different technologies.
  • Careful hardware and software design taking care of latchups and single-event upsets.
  • Smart self-adaptive software management scheme based on techniques stemming from Artificial Intelligence.
  • Clever firmware scheduling system with time preemption.
  • Algorithms for error detection and correction both for on-board memories and for communication.

Background

TIsat-1 complies with the CubeSat Design Specification and philosophy aiming at the development of low cost satellites by undergraduate/graduate student teams for training in system design and, leveraging on the fascination of space missions, aiming to foster the interest of young people for engineering curricula.
Low cost is acheived through the use of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) components wherever possible. This approach puts at the reach of the young designers a wealth of modern components that can be creatively applied for their student-class satellites, eventually helping to qualify new technologies for commercial and scientifically profiled (space) applications.