DOCUMENT NAME System Engineering Summary Report

DOCUMENT NO. 03

DATE MODIFIED 4st Nov 2024

PREPARED BY

APPROVED BY M. Talha Imran

 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

LIST OF MODIFICATIONS

Section/ Pages
Date Issue Modified by Reason for change
Affected

Review and
2022-12-24 1.0 All
formatting
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ADCS Attitude Determination and Control Systems

OBC On Board Computer

EPS Electrical Power Subsystem

PCB Printed Circuit Board

 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

LIST OF TABLES
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Satellite System Architecture.........................................................................................................8
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF MODIFICATIONS......................................................................................................................I
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................................II
LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................................III
LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................................IV
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW.....................................................................................................................7
2. DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS..........................................................................7
3. SUBSYSTEM DESCRIPTION AND FUNCTION...........................................................................7
4. ORBITAL ANALYSIS........................................................................................................................7

5. DATA FLOW AND SUBSYSTEM INTERACTION …………………..………………………… 7

6. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS ……………………………………………… 7

7. KEY LEARNING AND BEST PRACTICES………………...……………………………………. 8

8. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PROSPECTS………………..…………………………………... 8
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................................11
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i

ICUBE-1 CubeSat Project Summary Report

Project Overview

The ICUBE-1 project is Pakistan’s first student-developed CubeSat, constructed at the Institute of Space
Technology (IST) in Islamabad. Launched in November 2013, this project aimed to foster the development of space
technology, enrich educational experience, and serve as a platform for student-led research in satellite engineering.
Its key missions included:
 Educational Demonstration: Providing students with real-world experience in satellite technology and
systems engineering.
 Communication Testing: Enabling voice message transmission and reception experiments.
 Earth Observation: Capturing and transmitting low-resolution images of Earth to test camera functionality
in space.
 Technology Validation: Testing reliability and performance of subsystems in orbit.

Design and Technical Specifications

ICUBE-1 follows the 1U CubeSat design, which is a standardized format used in small satellite development. The
structure meets specific weight, dimension, and material criteria to ensure compatibility and durability.
 Dimensions: 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm (1U form factor)
 Weight: Approximately 1.1 kg
 Materials: Lightweight aluminum alloys, thermal-resistant coatings
 Operational Lifespan: Designed to operate effectively within a limited orbital period
 Standardization: Compliance with international CubeSat requirements for launches

Subsystem Descriptions and Functions

Each subsystem in ICUBE-1 is designed to perform specific functions while integrating seamlessly with the others.
Here’s an overview of the primary subsystems:

 Structure Subsystem:
• Purpose: Provides physical integrity, protection, and thermal dissipation.
• Key Elements: Structural framework, mounting points, thermal-resistant materials.
 Power Subsystem:
• Purpose: Supplies continuous power, stores energy, and regulates distribution.
• Components: Solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, Power Management Unit (PMU).
 Communication Subsystem:
• Purpose: Manages telemetry, command reception, and data transmission.
• Key Features: Operates on UHF/VHF radio bands, supports bidirectional communication with
ground control.
 On-Board Computer (OBC):
• Purpose: Acts as the control unit, processing data and coordinating subsystems.
• Functions: Processes sensor data, manages telemetry, and executes commands from ground station.
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i
 Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS):
• Purpose: Maintains and adjusts satellite orientation in space.
• Components: Magnetorquers, gyroscopes, sun sensors, magnetometers.
 Thermal Control Subsystem:
• Purpose: Controls temperature to protect components from extreme fluctuations.
• Components: Thermal coatings, insulation, heat pipes for managing internal temperature.
 Payload Subsystem:
• Purpose: Houses mission-specific instruments, including the camera and beacon transmitter.
• Key Capabilities: Captures Earth images, transmits voice messages.
 Ground Station Subsystem:
• Purpose: Supports mission management from Earth, handling command and telemetry.
• Functions: Manages satellite tracking, receives telemetry, and transmits operational commands.

Orbital Analysis

The orbital parameters for ICUBE-1 were chosen to optimize its communication capabilities, Earth observation
potential, and overall satellite stability. The primary orbital factors include:

1. Orbit Type:
• ICUBE-1 was deployed in a low Earth orbit (LEO), which is common for CubeSats due to lower
launch costs and better ground communication opportunities.
• LEO allows shorter communication delays, improving responsiveness to ground commands and
telemetry transfer.
2. Altitude and Inclination:
• The altitude was selected to balance operational lifespan with atmospheric drag, ensuring a stable
orbit for ICUBE-1's limited mission duration.
• The orbit inclination is aligned to maximize ground coverage, facilitating regular contact with the
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i
ground station and improving data collection from Earth.
3. Orbit Stability and Lifetime:
• Atmospheric drag affects ICUBE-1 in LEO, gradually reducing its altitude. The satellite's materials
and structure are designed to withstand degradation from this factor over its mission.
• While CubeSats in LEO experience decay over time, ICUBE-1’s altitude selection helped achieve an
optimal balance between mission duration and stability.
4. Communication Windows:
• The chosen orbit provides regular communication windows with IST’s ground station, ensuring
reliable command transmission and data retrieval.
• ICUBE-1’s orientation adjustments enable optimal alignment with Earth during these windows,
increasing communication effectiveness.
5. Orbital Decay Considerations:
• ICUBE-1’s low mass and altitude contribute to a gradual orbital decay. As atmospheric drag slows
its orbital velocity, ICUBE-1 will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere after completing its mission.
• This re-entry plan aligns with international standards for deorbiting small satellites, minimizing
long-term orbital debris.

Data Flow and Subsystem Interactions

The ICUBE-1 satellite relies on a well-coordinated data flow process to optimize power usage, communication, and
mission execution.

1. Power Distribution:
• Solar panels generate power, stored in batteries, and distributed by the PMU.
• Priority power distribution ensures critical systems remain operational during low power phases.
2. Attitude Adjustment and Control:
• ADCS utilizes sensor data to maintain optimal orientation, particularly for solar charging and ground
communication alignment.
• The OBC continuously monitors and adjusts orientation using real-time data.
3. Telemetry and Communication:
• Telemetry data from subsystems are relayed to the ground station.
• Ground commands are received and distributed through the OBC, ensuring efficient subsystem
functionality.
4. Thermal Management:
• Temperature data from thermal sensors is fed to the OBC, which activates thermal controls as
necessary.
• Regulates heat flow to maintain a stable operating environment.

Mission Operations and Achievements

ICUBE-1’s mission was designed around specific objectives, each achieved through its subsystems’ integrated
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i
operation. Notable accomplishments include:
 Real-Time Communication: Successfully transmitted telemetry and pre-recorded messages, demonstrating
effective ground-satellite interaction.
 Operational Stability: Maintained structural integrity, optimal power distribution, and temperature control
in a challenging environment.
 Data Collection and Analysis: Received telemetry and payload data, analyzed performance, and adjusted
operational parameters in real-time.
 Educational Success: Provided hands-on learning for students in satellite design, operation, and
management.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

ICUBE-1 encountered a range of operational challenges, which provided valuable insights into CubeSat design and
engineering.

1. Power Limitations:
• Challenge: Limited solar exposure during eclipse phases impacted power availability.
• Solution: PMU managed power distribution, prioritizing essential systems.
2. Communication Delays:
• Challenge: Signal latency in space communications required careful planning for real-time
commands.
• Solution: Established protocol for handling communication delays, maximizing the reliability of
telemetry and commands.
3. Thermal Variability:
• Challenge: Exposure to extreme temperatures in orbit risked electronic stability.
• Solution: Thermal subsystem regulated heat flow, ensuring components remained operational within
safe temperature limits.

Key Learnings and Best Practices

The ICUBE-1 project highlighted several best practices for future CubeSat missions:
 Subsystem Integration: Emphasizing smooth data flow between subsystems for a balanced, efficient
operation.
 Rigorous Testing: Conducting extensive pre-launch tests, especially for ADCS, communication, and
thermal control, to ensure operational resilience.
 Continuous Power Monitoring: Adopting energy-efficient strategies for power-critical periods, such as
eclipse management.
 Communication Protocols: Developing robust protocols to handle latency and data loss, improving
satellite-ground interactions.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

ICUBE-1 stands as a significant achievement in Pakistan’s satellite engineering landscape, showcasing the
feasibility and impact of student-led space projects. As a CubeSat, ICUBE-1 has set the groundwork for further
academic contributions to space research and technology. Future efforts at IST could leverage ICUBE-1’s design
insights, focusing on advancements in payload capacity, autonomy, and extended mission durations.
Potential developments in Pakistan’s CubeSat initiatives include:
 Advanced Communication Modules: To expand data transfer capacity and support new communication
 Dept. Electrical Engineering
Course SE - 608440
Date 4st Nov 2024
Project: ICUBE-1
Page: i
experiments.
 Enhanced Payload Capabilities: Incorporating higher-resolution cameras and advanced sensors.
 Extended Mission Durability: Designing power-efficient systems for prolonged operation in space.
ICUBE-1 represents a foundational step toward a future of locally developed satellite technology, contributing to
education, research, and Pakistan’s presence in the global space arena.

REFERENCES
https://www.ist.edu.pk/news-2013-icube-1-launch

https://www.ist.edu.pk/icube-1#

https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2013-066S

https://www.nanosats.eu/sat/icube-1
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259531002_ICUBE-
1_First_Step_towards_Developing_an_Experimental_Pico-satellite_at_Institute_of_Space_Technology/link/
00b7d52c6685fa6adc000000/download?
_tp=eyJjb250ZXh0Ijp7ImZpcnN0UGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9uIiwicGFnZSI6InB1YmxpY2F0aW9u