Thermal Characterisation Testing Completed

The thermal characterisation testing in vacuum has been successfully completed. The heater was bonded to the structure on 7th March, along with thermocouples to measure the temperature variation before and after the interface. The vacuum test was performed in ambient temperatures and has produced results which closely match predictions.

Thermal Characterisation Testing Scheduled

Scott Morgan and the platform team have been putting in a lot of work to prepare for Thermal Characterisation Testing of the cubesat hardware for the beginning of March. This testing is planned to commence on March 4th. A small vacuum chamber has been identified and the testing equipment is currently being sourced. The aim of the testing is to increase the knowledge of the thermal conductive coupling between one panel of the cubesat and another. This is very important for predicting the thermal gradients between the cubesat external panels facing the sun and those in shadow.

Further training opportunities to come

In the wake of a run of successful Amateur Radio training events, another course is being formulated that could provide an ideal opportunity for Lunchsatters to broaden their skillsets.

The course, 'In-Orbit Test Basics for Payload Engineers (IOTBPAL)' is currently being organised as an Astrium internal training opportunity which, if it is to run, would make use of the Lunchsat groundstation equipment and technology in Portsmouth. The good news arrives as Astrium sets to increase its in-orbit testing on Lunchsat ground infrastructure for the future.

Watch this space...