Course detail
Nanosatellite Design and Electronics
FEKT-MPA-NDE1Acad. year: 2025/2026
Not applicable.
Language of instruction
English
Number of ECTS credits
5
Mode of study
Not applicable.
Guarantor
Department
Entry knowledge
Attendant should be able to:
- explain the basic principles of electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and in the atmosphere
- use a logarithmic expression of ratios and power levels
- quantify the energy balance of a radio link
- evaluate the basic types of satellite orbits and characterize their parameters
The subject knowledge on the Bachelor's degree level is requested.
- explain the basic principles of electromagnetic wave propagation in free space and in the atmosphere
- use a logarithmic expression of ratios and power levels
- quantify the energy balance of a radio link
- evaluate the basic types of satellite orbits and characterize their parameters
The subject knowledge on the Bachelor's degree level is requested.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Students can receive a maximum of 40 points for active work in laboratory exercises. Credit is awarded after completion of lessons with compulsory attendance. The final exam is evaluated with a maximum of 60 points.
The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.
The content and forms of instruction in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and updated for every academic year.
Aims
The aim of the course is to provide students with a basic orientation in the issue of nanosatellites such as CubeSat and PocketQube, to familiarize them with the basic components, structure and procedures in their design. An important part of the course are the practical implementation of satellites.
The graduate is able to: (a) describe the nanosatellite structure of the CubeSat and PocketQube formats; (b) describe the basic electronic systems of a nanosatellite; (c) evaluate functional safety and necessary tests; (d) define the requirements for the design of a selected nanosatellite subsystem and its integration.
The graduate is able to: (a) describe the nanosatellite structure of the CubeSat and PocketQube formats; (b) describe the basic electronic systems of a nanosatellite; (c) evaluate functional safety and necessary tests; (d) define the requirements for the design of a selected nanosatellite subsystem and its integration.
Study aids
Not applicable.
Prerequisites and corequisites
Not applicable.
Basic literature
CAPPELLETTI, C., BATTISTINI, S., MALPHRUS, B. CubeSat Handbook. 1. ed. London: Academic Press. 498 s. ISBN: 978-0-12-817884-3. (EN)
MARAL, G., BOUSQUET, M. Satellite Communication Systems. 5. ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. 685 s. ISBN: 978-0-470-71458-4. (EN)
MARAL, G., BOUSQUET, M. Satellite Communication Systems. 5. ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. 685 s. ISBN: 978-0-470-71458-4. (EN)
Recommended reading
Not applicable.
Classification of course in study plans
Type of course unit
Laboratory exercise
39 hod., compulsory
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Laboratory exercises without fixed curriculum, team projects with individual approach focused on minimal versions of nanosatellite subsystems such as OBC, radio, EPS, ADCS. Includes ongoing presentations of development progress, documentation creation, and final project presentation.
Lecture
13 hod., optionally
Teacher / Lecturer
Syllabus
Nanosatellites basics, CubeSat and PocketQube. Development cycle. Target payloads. Orbit.
Mechanical structure. Deployer, ride-shared missions. Orientation, propulsion options. Antennas and their release.
Nanosatellite electronics. Computer (OBC), attitude control (ADCS), radio communication.
Electrical power system (EPS), solar panels, batteries. Energy budget, monitoring.
Functional safety, hardware and firmware requirements. Redundancy. Latch-up, watchdog.
Applications and scientific missions of nanosatellites. ESA projects.
Internal connections, I2C, CAN, TCP/IP. CubeSat Space Protocol, AX.25. Data budget.
Communication, modulation, radio link budget. Doppler effect, frequency stability.
Ground station. Transceiver, rotator, TNC. Telemetry reception. Satellite tracking, TLE, SatNOGS network.
Pre-start tests. Vibration, temperature, vacuum. Thermal design.
Practical realizations.
Mechanical structure. Deployer, ride-shared missions. Orientation, propulsion options. Antennas and their release.
Nanosatellite electronics. Computer (OBC), attitude control (ADCS), radio communication.
Electrical power system (EPS), solar panels, batteries. Energy budget, monitoring.
Functional safety, hardware and firmware requirements. Redundancy. Latch-up, watchdog.
Applications and scientific missions of nanosatellites. ESA projects.
Internal connections, I2C, CAN, TCP/IP. CubeSat Space Protocol, AX.25. Data budget.
Communication, modulation, radio link budget. Doppler effect, frequency stability.
Ground station. Transceiver, rotator, TNC. Telemetry reception. Satellite tracking, TLE, SatNOGS network.
Pre-start tests. Vibration, temperature, vacuum. Thermal design.
Practical realizations.