Integration of World’s First D-STAR CubeSat

Professor Jacques Verly ON9CWD (Montefiore Institute) and Amandine Denis ON4EYA, Head of Project OUFTI (LTAS) with the flight model (structure) of OUFTI-1 - Image credit ESA

Professor Jacques Verly ON9CWD (Montefiore Institute) and Amandine Denis ON4EYA, Head of Project OUFTI (LTAS) with OUFTI-1 – Image credit ESA

The OUFTI-1 team have released videos of the integration of the amateur radio D-STAR GMSK CubeSat built by students at the University of Liege.

OUFTI-1 is currently being integrated at the Liège Space Center, a research center of the University of Liège in Belgium. The flight model of OUFTI-1 should be assembled by October 25, 2013.

The team plan to use 145.950 MHz for a D-STAR and FSK AX.25 downlink and 145.980 MHz for a CW beacon. A D-STAR uplink on 435.045 MHz is proposed. A launch is planned for late 2014 on the ESA “Fly your satellite” program.

The first video shows the second day of integration. The team performs preliminary steps: preparation of wires and sensors, gluing of solar panels, preparation of the battery box etc.

Watch Integration of OUFTI-1, part 1 (CSL, October 21, 2013 AM)

The second video shows preparation of an assembly consisting of the EPS board and the chassis. They are linked by the thermal strap, which is glued and screwed on both the EPS board and the chassis.

Watch Integration of OUFTI-1, part 2 (CSL, October 22, 2013 AM)

In the third video it begins looking like a CubeSat ! Different boards are stacked (and plugged) onto the base-plate + OBC1 assembly. The OBC2 (homemade) is stacked first and then the EPS, together with the chassis.

Watch Integration of OUFTI-1 part 3 (October 22, 2013 PM)

The fourth video shows OUFTI-1 at the end of October 23, the last but one day of integration. Final steps for today: fixing the PCB with the thermal knives and the top plate. The wires of the solar panels will also be soldered.

Watch OUFTI-1: almost ready to orbit the Earth !

The fifth video shows the very last step: soldering of the wires to the solar panels. OUFTI-1 is now ready to undergo the test campaign!

Watch End of the integration of OUFTI-1 CubeSat

OUFTI-1 http://www.leodium.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/oufti1cubesat

Student D-STAR Satellite to Launch in 2012

Students at workStudents at the University of Liege are hoping their D-Star GMSK satellite OUFTI-1 will be launched towards the end of this year.

An update on the satellite is published in the January 2012  issue of the OUFTI-1 newsletter at
http://www.leodium.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/uploads/OUFTI-1%20Newsletter%204.pdf

The satellite will have uplinks in the 145 MHz band and downlinks on 435.015 and 435.045 MHz.

OUFTI-1 http://www.leodium.ulg.ac.be/cmsms/

Professor Jacques Verly ON9CWD (Montefiore Institute) and Amandine Denis ON4EYA, Head of Project OUFTI (LTAS) with the flight model (structure) of OUFTI-1 - Image credit ESA

Professor Jacques Verly ON9CWD (Montefiore Institute) and Amandine Denis ON4EYA, Head of Project OUFTI (LTAS) with the flight model (structure) of OUFTI-1 – Image credit ESA