Employing rapid prototyping to reduce weight and optimize selected intricate structural components of a picosatellite

Aniket Marne, Tanvi Katke, Saranga Kamble, Bhagyashree Prabhune, Ali Murtaza Kothawala, Abhijit Rathod, Pradip Bobade

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Rapid prototyping creates a 'prototype' of the CAD model at a fast rate, building the object layer by layer, from the bottom to the top. Swayam is a 1U, low earth orbit pico-satellite and weighs 1 kg. Its payload is passive attitude stabilization, i.e. without consuming on-board power. It will be launched as an auxiliary satellite on board ISRO's polar satellite launch vehicle. In the satellite, non-conducting and non-magnetic materials are needed for housing components like magnet, hysteresis rods and switches from inertial and vibrational loads. Considering various factors such as strength, availability, weight and cost, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) has been found to be suitable for these components. Tensile and hardness tests have been performed on ABS for verifying its properties. ABS does not interfere with the satellite's attitude control system. Simulations were run to check the stress levels due vibrations. Stress values so obtained were found to be less than allowable stress values. Components having irregular and intricate shapes such as antenna extension, switch cases were manufactured with ease which is not possible or extremely difficult to manufacture by any other means. These components have been designed considering various stresses to which ABS would be subjected. They have been manufactured using the fused deposition modelling (FDM) type of rapid prototyping technique. The paper explains how RPT was employed to optimize the structure and reduce weight.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication66th International Astronautical Congress 2015, IAC 2015
Subtitle of host publicationSpace - The Gateway for Mankind's Future
PublisherInternational Astronautical Federation, IAF
Pages6767-6776
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9781510818934
StatePublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes
Event66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015 - Jerusalem, Israel
Duration: Oct 12 2015Oct 16 2015

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC
Volume9
ISSN (Print)0074-1795

Conference

Conference66th International Astronautical Congress 2015: Space - The Gateway for Mankind's Future, IAC 2015
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityJerusalem
Period10/12/1510/16/15

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