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Projecte matriculat

Títol: Structural Analysis of a PocketQube by Simulation & Experimental testing, and Design of Antenna Deployment Mechanisms


Director/a: PARK, HYUK

Departament: FIS

Títol: Structural Analysis of a PocketQube by Simulation & Experimental testing, and Design of Antenna Deployment Mechanisms

Data inici oferta: 03-02-2026     Data finalització oferta: 03-10-2026



Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    GR ENG SIST AEROESP
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: EETAC
 
Segon director/a extern: Roger Almirall
 
Paraules clau:
Satellite, PocketQube, Antenna
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
1. Project Objectives
1.1. General Objective
To perform a structural analysis of a PocketQube through Finite Element Analysis and experimental
vibration testing, and to design and verify two new antenna deployment systems, from L-Band and
COMMS.
1.2. Specific Objectives
A. Structural Validation:
' FEA Simulation: Perform Modal, Quasi-static, Random Vibration, and Shock analysis on the
current design.
' Experimental Correlation: Perform a Shaker Test to validate the integrity of the design and
correlate the natural frequencies with the simulation.
B. Mechanism Design:
' L-Band Antenna: Design a completely new deployment mechanism in compliance with ESA's
requirements.
' Comms Antenna: Design a reliable deployment solution ensuring compatibility with the
updated structural requirements.
C. Verification of Mechanisms:
' Verify the structural viability of the new mechanisms via simulation.
' Ensure no mechanical interference occurs between the existing model and the new antenna
modules.
2. Methodology
The project is divided into two parallel workflows: Validation of structure and Design of the antennas.
1. Baseline Review: Analysis of the provided PocketQube CAD model and definition of launch
loads (ESA's requirements).
2. Structural:

' Pre-Test Analysis: Running FEA simulations on Ansys on the existing model to
predict mode shapes and stress points.
' Testing: Performing a Sine Sweep and Random Vibration test on a shaker to extract
real eigenmodes and check for possible structural failure.
' Correlation: Observe if there is a match in experimental data.
3. Design:
' Concept Generation: Proposing mechanisms for L-Band and Comms that fit within
the remaining volume of the validated chassis.
' Detailed CAD: Modeling the new deployment systems in SolidWorks.
' Virtual Validation: Simulating the deployed stiffness and ensuring the mechanisms
can survive the launch loads.
3. Detailed Scope of Analyses
3.1. Chassis Structural Analysis & Testing
Since the design exists, the focus is on verification:
' Modal Analysis: Identify fundamental frequencies. The Shaker test will confirm if the real
structure meets the >100 Hz requirement.
' Random Vibration: Simulate the PSD curve in Ansys. Expose the prototype to random
vibration to check for screw loosening or fatigue.
' Shock Analysis: Numerical evaluation of the chassis response to separation shock.
3.2. Antenna Deployment Design (L-Band & Comms)
The original antennas are being replaced. The new design process involves:
' Volumetric Feasibility: Ensuring the new folded antennas follow ESA's requirements.
' Mechanism Design: Selection of elements such as screws, springs, resistor for burning, etc.
4. Tools and Software
' CAD: SolidWorks.
' FEA: Ansys Workbench.
' Experimental: UPC Nanosatlab's Shaker.
' Documentation: LaTeX.
5. Time Planification
' January: Conceptual design of new antennas and familiarisation with Tools (done).
' February: Start of detailed CAD for new antennas. Creation of the model and check
requirements for structural.
' March: Experimental Shaker Test. And first structural simulation.
' April: Correlation of FEA vs. Test data. Completion of Antenna CAD.
' May: Integration of new antennas into the correlated model. Analysis of final refined results
structural.
' June: Documentation and finish thesis writing.
 
Orientació a l'estudiant:
 
 
 
Horari d'atenció a estudiants per a l'assignació de projecte:

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