Picosatellite Wireless Communication

The Aerospace Corporation Engineering, 2008-09

Liaison(s): Samuel S. Osofsky ’85
Advisor(s): John I. Molinder
Students(s): Tony Evans (TL), Angus Ho (S), Kelley Hodges, Andrew Pozo (F), Jake Rowley (S), Dorian Scrima (F)

Picosats, each weighing a little over one kilogram, have been developed by the Aerospace Corporation to perform space missions such as inspecting the exterior of the space shuttle. Currently, these small satellites are launched in tethered pairs with no attitude control and no direct communication link between satellites. A wireless system including required hardware and software to provide a cross link between multiple picosats has been developed.