Abstract:

This interview on the "0ero to8 course" YouTube channel features T-Bor Herman from the Technical University of Budapest, discussing his team's nanosatellite projects, focusing on the upcoming UNITY PocketQube mission. T-Bor outlines their progression from the pioneering SMOG series, which successfully mapped global electromagnetic pollution, to the more advanced MRC-100, and now the 3-unit (3P) UNITY satellite. UNITY's primary goals include testing a sophisticated Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) with magnetic reluctance reaction wheels and magneto-torquers. It will also carry various payloads, such as a 1P PocketQube from another Hungarian university and science experiments designed by high school students. A significant aspect of the mission is the collaboration with Tiny Tape Out, which will see an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) from their program flown into space on a deployable panel. Pat, representing Tiny Tape Out, details the custom RP2040-based board designed to host and manage this ASIC, which will operate as an I2C slave and execute user-submitted MicroPython experiments. The project underscores a strong educational component and promotes open data access, encouraging worldwide participation in tracking the satellite and receiving its telemetry.

PocketQube UNITY Mission: Advancing Nanosatellite Technology and Education with an ASIC in Space

• 0:00:02 Introduction: The interview introduces T-Bor Herman from the Technical University of Budapest and Degan, discussing T-Bor's work on nanosatellites.
• 0:00:22 T-Bor Herman's Background & PocketQube Expertise:
  • T-Bor is a PhD student at the Technical University of Budapest, part of the nanosatellite team that pioneered Hungarian satellite development.
  • His team successfully launched four PocketQubes, including SMOG-P, the world's first 1P (5x5x5 cm) PocketQube.
  • PocketQubes are 1/8th the volume of a standard CubeSat, designed by Bob Twigs for more affordable space access, especially for education.
• 0:01:17 UNITY Project - Next Generation PocketQube:
  • The team is developing UNITY, a 3P (three-unit, 5x5x15 cm) PocketQube.
  • It will involve high school students by flying their experiments.
• 0:02:16 Collaboration with Tiny Tape Out: The UNITY mission will carry an ASIC developed through the Tiny Tape Out program, marking an exciting venture into flying community-designed hardware.
• 0:04:48 PocketQube Deployment & Standards: PocketQubes typically use a sliding rail system for deployment from a launcher, a standard that has evolved from initial concepts.
• 0:06:22 Previous Successful Missions:
  • SMOG-P & SMOG-1 (0:06:31, 0:07:27): These 1P PocketQubes measured electromagnetic pollution in the DVBT band (400-800 MHz) across the globe. SMOG-P was the precursor, launched successfully despite delays with SMOG-1.
  • ATR-1 (0:06:39): A 2P PocketQube, Hungary's first private satellite, tested thermal insulation materials in space.
  • MRC-100 (0:09:08): A 3P PocketQube celebrating the university radio club's centenary, featuring multiple university experiments, a camera, GPS, and testing firmware updates and attitude control.
• 0:10:32 Orbit Characteristics:
  • The SMOG satellites used a sun-synchronous polar orbit (90-93° inclination), allowing for full Earth coverage and consistent daily passes over specific locations like Hungary.
  • Satellite visibility for ground communication depends on altitude (e.g., MRC-100 at ~377km).
• 0:16:27 UNITY Mission Details:
  • Name: Stands for Hungarian University and Unity.
  • Structure: 1P for platform subsystems, 1P for Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), 1P for payloads.
  • Deployable Panel (0:17:02): An external panel, deployed by burning a plastic thread with a resistor, will host high school experiments and the Tiny Tape Out ASIC. A camera will monitor its deployment.
• 0:19:21 Key Mission Goals for UNITY:
  • Technological demonstration of a mixed ADCS, including 3D magnetic control with magneto-torquer rods and three custom-built magnetic reluctance reaction wheels (a type of brushless DC motor without permanent magnets).
  • Fly payloads: a 1P PocketQube from Sichlan University, high school student experiments (e.g., radiation detection, temperature studies with special paints), and the Tiny Tape Out ASIC.
• 0:24:18 UNITY Subsystems Overview:
  • Communications: S-band downlink, GPS.
  • Power: Batteries, solar panels with MPPTs, 3.3V regulated bus.
  • Sensors: IMUs, magnetometers, light sensors (for sun direction), angular speed sensors, three cameras.
  • On-board Computer: Manages data and tasks.
  • ADCS (0:26:33):
    • Reaction Wheels: Provide primary torque for orientation changes. They are faster but can "saturate" (reach max speed/momentum).
    • Magneto-torquers: Used for desaturating reaction wheels and for slower, continuous attitude adjustments by interacting with Earth's magnetic field.
  • Infrared Cameras (0:33:37): Four units for Earth horizon and sun detection.
  • PICO-2 Experiment (0:34:04): An FPGA-based subsystem allowing anyone to submit code for execution on the satellite.
• 0:34:51 Tiny Tape Out ASIC Integration Board (Pat's Design):
  • A custom PCB (3x4.5 cm) designed by Pat to host the Tiny Tape Out ASIC on UNITY's deployable panel.
  • Features an RP2040 microcontroller, the ASIC socket, and an I/O multiplexer.
  • The RP2040 will act as an I2C slave to UNITY's main computer, running MicroPython code to execute user-submitted experiments on the ASIC.
  • A small Molex connector and an adapter board facilitate programming.
• 0:40:28 Call for Experiments & Data Access:
  • Users are invited to submit experiments for the Tiny Tape Out 6 ASIC to be run on UNITY.
  • The satellite will transmit beacons, and demodulator/decoder software will be provided, allowing anyone worldwide with appropriate equipment to receive data.
• 0:44:02 Mission Lifetime & Testing:
  • UNITY is expected to have a working lifetime of at least one year.
  • The satellite undergoes rigorous environmental testing, including vibration tests (to simulate launch conditions, e.g., SpaceX profiles) and thermal vacuum bake-out, to achieve Technology Readiness Level 8 (TRL8) before flight.
• 0:44:35 Sponsors and Educational Focus: The project is supported by various Hungarian authorities and institutions (NMHH, BME) and strongly emphasizes education, from university students to high schoolers.
• 0:48:50 Tracking and Community Involvement: The public can track UNITY using G-predict and publicly available TLE data. The team relies on and encourages global radio amateur participation for telemetry reception.