PocketQube: Difference between revisions

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A PocketQube is a type of miniaturized satellite for space research that usually has a size of 5 cm cubed, has a mass of no more than 180 grams, and typically uses commercial off-the-shelf components for its electronics.

Beginning in 2009,^[1] Morehead State University (MSU) and Kentucky Space developed the PocketQube specifications to help universities worldwide to perform space science and exploration. While the bulk of development comes from academia, several companies build PocketQube, such PocketQube Shop. PocketQube projects have even been the subject of Kickstarter campaigns.^[2]^[3]^[4] The PocketQube format is also popular with amateur radio satellite builders.^[5]

Design

The PocketQube specification accomplishes several high-level goals. Simplification makes it possible to design and produce a workable satellite at low cost. Encapsulation of the launcher-payload interface takes away the prohibitive amount of managerial work that would previously be required for mating a piggyback satellite with its launcher. Unification among payloads and launchers enables quick exchanges of payloads and utilization of launch opportunities on short notice. PocketQube is similar to Cubesat in this regard.

The standard was first proposed by Professor Bob Twiggs of (Morehead State University) and the intention was for a satellite which could fit in your pocket, hence the name PocketQube.

History

First proposed in 2009 as a solution to the increasing costs of Cubesat launches to Low Earth Orbit, the first 4 PocketQube Satellites were launched on 21 November 2013 onboard their mothership Unisat-5. The next expected launch will be on UniSat-7. The largest so far is a 2.5P PocketQube called T-Logoqube^[6]

Launched PocketQubes

Name	Type	Organisation	Mission	Launch Date (UTC)	Rocket	COSPAR ID	Status	Remarks
T-LogoQube (Beakersat-1, MagPocketQube, Eagle-1)	2.5P	Morehead State University, Sonoma State University	Teaching Tool	2013-11-21, 07:11	Dnepr	TBC	Active
$50Sat (Eagle-2)	1.5p	Amateur Group	TBC	2013-11-21, 07:11	Dnepr	TBC	Active^[7]	Team Interview
QubeScout-S1	2.5p	University of Maryland, Baltimore County	TBC	2013-11-21, 07:11	Dnepr	TBC	Active^[8]
WREN	1p	Stadoko UG	Tech demo, Camera SSTV, 3 Axis Reaction Wheel and pp Thrusters	2013-11-21, 07:11	Dnepr	TBC	Beacon operational	Team Interview^{[permanent dead link]}

Future PocketQubes

Name	Type	Organisation	Mission	Launch Date (UTC)	Rocket	COSPAR ID	Status	Decay date	Remarks
OzQube-1	1P	Amateur Group	Earth Observation	TBC	TBC	TBC	In Development		Team Interview
Arduiqube	1P	Amateur Group	TBC	Q1 2017	TBC	TBC	N/A		Team Interview http://www.diysatellite.com/arduiqube.html
SMOG-1	1p	Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary	Measurement of the radio spectrum in the UHF TV band	Q1 2017	TBC	TBC	In development
ArduOrbiter-1	1p	Reid Technologies	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	N/A		https://www.reidtech.global/
SunewnewSat	1p	Amateur Group	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC	N/A		Team Interview
Discovery 1a	1p	Photos To Space	Camera / Photo Sat	TBC	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	Company Website
Unicorn-1	2p	Alba Orbital	LEO > GEO Relay Demonstrator	Q1 2017	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	Satellite Webpage
UoMBSat1	1p	University of Malta + University of Birmingham	Technology Demonstrator + Ionospheric Sounder	Q4 2018	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	ASTREA Website @ UoM SERENE Website @ UoB
Delfi-PQ	3p	Delft University of Technology	Technology Demonstrator	2018	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	Delfi Space
Unicorn-2a	3p	Alba Orbital	Technology Demonstrator	H1 2018	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	PocketQube Shop
Unicorn-2b	3p	Alba Orbital	Technology Demonstrator	H1 2018	TBC	TBC	In Development	TBC	PocketQube Shop
ATL-1	1p	Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Hungary	test in space a new thermal isolation material	TBC	TBC	TBC	In development	TBC
EASAT-2	2p	Amsat EA	Amateur Mission	TBC	TBC	TBC	In development	TBC
Exploration I	1p	British Columbia Institute of Technology - Satellite Launch Program	test structural feasibility at 30,000 feet for new design	June 2018	University of British Columbia's Second Rocket (under production)	TBC	In development	TBC

PocketQube vs PocketQub

The PocketQube standard originally started as 'PocketQub'.^[9] This was changed in 2012 by Professor Bob Twiggs (Morehead State University). The standard is now referred to as PocketQube.

References

^ Twiggs, Bob. "Making it small" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
^ "Kickstarter". Retrieved 1 October 2013.
^ "Kickstarter, Wired UK". Retrieved 22 September 2013.
^ "Kickstarter, Mail Online UK". 26 October 2013.
^ "AMSAT UK". Retrieved 22 November 2013.
^ Zack, Kevin, J. Garrett Jernigan, and Lynn Cominsky. "The Development of a 3P PocketQube.", Bulletin of the American Physical Society 58 (2013). Retrieved on 27 February 2014.
^ "50 Dollarsat Operational". Retrieved 22 November 2013.
^ "QubeScout Press Release". Retrieved 26 November 2013.
^ "Standard". Retrieved 7 September 2013.

External links

[1] Twiggs, Bob. "Making it small" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

[2] "Kickstarter". Retrieved 1 October 2013.

[3] "Kickstarter, Wired UK". Retrieved 22 September 2013.

[4] "Kickstarter, Mail Online UK". 26 October 2013.

[5] "AMSAT UK". Retrieved 22 November 2013.

[6] Zack, Kevin, J. Garrett Jernigan, and Lynn Cominsky. "The Development of a 3P PocketQube.", Bulletin of the American Physical Society 58 (2013). Retrieved on 27 February 2014.

[7] "50 Dollarsat Operational". Retrieved 22 November 2013.

[8] "QubeScout Press Release". Retrieved 26 November 2013.

[9] "Standard". Retrieved 7 September 2013.

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@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 A '''PocketQube''' is a type of [[miniaturized satellite]] for space research that usually has a size of 5&nbsp;cm cubed, has a mass of no more than 180 grams, and typically uses commercial off-the-shelf components for its electronics.
 Beginning in 2009,<ref>{{cite web|last=Twiggs|first=Bob|title=Making it small|url=http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/Presentations/DevelopersWorkshop2009/7_CubeSat_Alt/1_Twiggs-PocketQub.pdf|accessdate=7 September 2013}}</ref> [[Morehead State University]] (MSU) and [[Kentucky Space]] developed the PocketQube specifications to help universities worldwide to perform space science and exploration. While the bulk of development comes from academia, several [http://www.pocketqubeshop.com companies] build PocketQube, such [http://www.pocketqubeshop.com PocketQube Shop]. PocketQube projects have even been the subject of Kickstarter campaigns.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kickstarter|url=http://gigaom.com/2013/10/01/kickstarter-campaign-will-help-you-build-a-satellite-for-less-than-600/|accessdate=1 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kickstarter, Wired UK|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-09/23/pocketqube|accessdate=22 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kickstarter, Mail Online UK|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2454251/Rise-DIY-satellite-Company-launches-initiative-allowing-ANYONE-send-probe-space---itll-cost-12-000.html|date=26 October 2013}}</ref> The PocketQube format is also popular with amateur radio satellite builders.<ref>{{cite web|title=AMSAT UK|url=  http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/50sat-eagle2-pocketqube-operational/|accessdate=22 November 2013}}</ref>
 == Design ==
@@ Line 137: / Line 137: @@
 |Active<ref>{{cite web|title=50 Dollarsat Operational|url=  http://amsat-uk.org/2013/11/22/50sat-eagle2-pocketqube-operational/|accessdate=22 November 2013}}</ref>
 |
 |[http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/blogs/news/10370494-meet-the-pocketqube-team-50sat Team Interview]
 |-
 |[http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/qubescout-s1.htm QubeScout-S1]
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 |Beacon operational
 |
 |[http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/blogs/news/10370774-meet-the-pocketqube-team-wren Team Interview]
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 188: / Line 188: @@
 |In Development
 |
 |[http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/blogs/news/10369938-meet-the-pocketqube-teams-ozqube-1 Team Interview]
 |-
 |[http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/blogs/news/10370878-meet-the-pocketqube-team-arduiqube Arduiqube]
 |1P
 |Amateur Group
@@ Line 199: / Line 199: @@
 |N/A
 |
 |[http://www.pocketqubeshop.com/blogs/news/10370878-meet-the-pocketqube-team-arduiqube Team Interview]
 http://www.diysatellite.com/arduiqube.html
 |-
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 == External links ==
 * [http://www.pocketqubeshop.com PocketQube Shop]
 * [http://www.nasa.gov/offices/oce/appel/ask/issues/38/38s_next_prt.htm NASA Article on PocketQubes]
 * [http://www.diysatellite.com Pocketqube Builders]