2 days Ago
1 2 Pune: What if we could build satellites using everyday electronics instead of costly space-grade components? That's the question students at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) tried to answer with their first space payload , STeRG-P1.0, launched aboard ISRO's PSLV-C60 rocket on Dec 30. Designed by Space Technology Research Group (STeRG) at MIT-WPU, the payload experiments with Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) components, including MEMS-based sensors and ARM-based microcontrollers, to test their reliability in space.
These components, commonly found in automation and robotics, are cheaper than traditional space-grade systems. Prathamesh Phatak, a member of the hardware team, said MEMS-based 9-axis IMU sensors combine accelerometers, gyroscopes, and magnetometers to measure acceleration, orientation, and magnetic fields across three axes each. He added, "While these sensors are not typically designed for space, the mission seeks to understand how they perform in orbit.
The sensors help determine the satellite's orientation, with the data undergoing advanced filtration techniques for precise analysis." The team compares the data collected by their payload with ISRO's space-grade systems to validate its accuracy. "If the results match perfectly, it could mean a significant reduction in the cost of building spacecraft," Phatak said.
Mission founder Achintya Chaware said he was proud of the team's success. "This is the result of relentless effort by students, the faculty, and the support from MIT-WPU. We are grateful to ISRO and IN-SPACe for the opportunity.
It is a proud moment to see our first mission take flight. This payload will serve as our pilot mission for further research and development in space technology," he added. The team is now preparing to develop MIT-WPU's first CubeSat with experimental payloads.
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