ARLISS S4 - Small Satellite for Secondary Students

thingiverse

PocketQubes are the compact variant of CubeSats, measuring just 5 cm on each side, with a standard PC board size of 4.2mm square. This innovative project is designed to empower learners of all ages to build and launch small satellites, known as S4 - Small Satellites for Secondary Students. Launched five years ago under NASA's educational program funding, the initiative aims to make space exploration accessible to everyone. As part of the ARLISS project, which has been around for over two decades, PocketQubes are a new iteration of cansats. Originally developed by ARLISS, these autonomous student satellites now undergo launch via a dedicated platform. For more information on this groundbreaking project, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/4i4729zyfppuny6/PocketQubes%20are%20the%20New%20CanSats.pdf?dl=0. The S4 design uses a 3D printed package measuring 4.9 cm to house a stack of PC boards equipped with processing units, communication systems, storage devices, and sensors. The complete hardware and software documentation for this project can be accessed online. These miniature satellites are engineered to be either carried as captive payloads or deployed for independent recovery. Primarily designed for hobby and sounding rockets, the S4 design can also be adapted to create Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. PocketQubes can be launched in large clusters on classic ARLISS HPR sounding rockets with K through M motors to an altitude of 10k' or on partially 3D printed ARLISS Lite airframes for lower altitudes. Basic ARLISS Lite airframes are designed for use with 24mm, 29mm, and 54mm launch systems via standoffs or flyaway launch systems for convenient rail launch. To reach even higher altitudes, multiple S4 satellites can be flown on ARLISS Extreme rockets, reaching over 150k' AGL.