CBL - Campus del Baix Llobregat

Projecte matriculat

Títol: Design of a femto-satellite for thermospheric density modeling

Director/a: GUTIÉRREZ CABELLO, JORDI

Departament: FIS

Títol: Design of a femto-satellite for thermospheric density modeling

Data inici oferta: 05-02-2026     Data finalització oferta: 05-10-2026


Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    DG ENG AERO/SIS TEL
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: EETAC
 
Segon director/a (UPC): GIL PONS, PILAR
 
Paraules clau:
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
The lower thermosphere is a critical environment for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites influencing orbital lifetimes and reentry trajectories. However, this layer is highly volatile, changing based on unpredictable solar activity. Consequently, current models do not correctly predict the exact air density in real-time, thus generating uncertainties in drag estimation and orbital prediction.

This project aims to design a femto-satellite dedicated to analysing these thermospheric effects. To perform that task, a swarm of femto-satellites will be deployed to measure the atmosphere's effects on it. The core methodology involves the use of high-precision accelerometers to measure the satellite's deceleration profile. By analysing said data, the project aims to calculate the density of the atmosphere, thereby modelling the thermosphere.

During this Bachelor's Thesis, the student will find suitable candidate devices:
1. Onboard computer
2. SD memory card
3. IoT transmitter
4. Antennas
5. Secondary battery
6. Solar cells
7. MEMS GNSS receiver (COCOM-free)
8. MEMS 3-axis magnetometer
9. MEMS high-accuracy accelerometer

The student will propose a suitable femtosatellite architecture combining the aforementioned devices.
 
Orientació a l'estudiant:
 
 
 
Horari d'atenció a estudiants per a l'assignació de projecte:

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