Naval Academy-OSCAR 84) (original) (raw)

PSat A (ParkinsonSat A) [USNA]

PSat (ParkinsonSAT) is a student satellite project which is a two way communications transponder for relaying remote telemetry, sensor and user data from remote environmental experiments or other data sources back to experimenters via a global network of internet linked volunteer ground stations. The data transponder also includes all telemetry, command and control for a complete cubesat.

The PSat project consists of two identical 1.5U CubeSats, which were originally to be launched together. As the PSat payload contains only a part of the cubesat, the remaining space was to be used for other experiments or for a sub-CubeSat sized nano satellite, which was to be deployed, when the two PSats separated.

The Parkinson Satellite, with design and construction funded in part by a grant from Aerospace Corporation, in honor of Dr Parkinson of GPS fame carries an APRS packet radio communications transponder for relaying remote telemetry, sensor and user data from remote users and amateur radio environmental experiments or other data sources back to Amateur Radio experimenters via a global network of internet linked volunteer ground stations. The data transponder also includes all telemetry, command and control for a complete cubesat. A secondary transponder supports multi-user PSK31 text messaging users via a Brno University transponder.

During the long wait for an launch opportunity, the design was changed and simplified in 2014. The four deployable fixed solar arrays were removed, as higher efficiency solar cells became available. Only one PSat was launched. The other one was redesigned and renamed BRICSat-P.