Section Fourteen of the Starter Kit

Section Fourteen: SEDS Technical Projects

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Introduction: Many SEDS chapters, as part of their list of activities, work on technical projects. These may be projects that they do in conjunction with a NASA facility, with space-oriented companies, or on their own. They usually involve most of the chapter mem bers in working on the projects, thus bringing the members closer and creating real bonds together. Some are large, others are small, but all share a common advantage of real-world experience for the students working on them. Technical projects a re sometimes difficult to set up, but they are well worth the time and effort. The following are examples of successful projects run by SEDS chapters.
SEDSAT: SEDSAT is a project that was developed by the members of University of Alabama-Huntsville SEDS. Their satellite is a joint effort with AMSAT (Amateur Satellite) Corp., and is designed to test the dynamics of tethers used in orbit. The SEDSAT team in cludes members from Taiwan as well as members from other US chapters. The satellite will be launched in 1996.
ESPY: ESPY is a much simpler satellite project which was developed and flown in 1993 by University of Kent SEDS in the UK. The extremely small satellite is designed to transmit simple electromagnetic data readings over amateur band radio using a speech syn thesizer. The project is being undertaken jointly with the Russian SOYUZ space society (Samara branch) and with other SEDS chapters in the UK.
ASPIRE: ASPIRE was SEDS' entry in the July 1992 World-wide Launching Campaign held at Mourmelon, France. The vehicle was developed by four UK based SEDS branches. Following the success of the first Aspire rocket, a more powerful Aspire 2 is on the drawing b oards.
GAMCIT: GAMCIT is a Get-Away Special project for the space shuttle being developed and managed by Caltech SEDS. It is designed to study gamma-ray bursts in the night sky and to see if there are any associated optical flashes. It is due for launch in January , 1995.
UA SEDS is currently working on a high powered rocket.
UASEDS Rocket Project: The UASEDS rocket project is being developed for launch in May, 1994 by the UASEDS rocket team. The team is composed of undergraduate engineering and science majors. The rocket system is engineered for practical, low-cost payloads. It is designed f or flights into the upper stratosphere and mesosphere.
UCCS Rocket Project: UCCS SEDS is working on a part of a rocket project coordinated and funded by the NASA/Colorado Space Grant Colleges Program (CSGC). In its current phase, the design team is developing three sounding rockets designed to measure atmospheric properties at various altitudes. The UCCS team designed and built the Altitude Determination System (ADS) for the first and second rockets, and may do so for the third rocket, if approval for the third rocket is received.
UCCS Satellite Simulator: UCCS members are working on a satellite simulator project for the CSGC. The satellite simulator is a physical structure designed to test the reaction control systems of a satellite in the z axis. The measurements are performed by an optical sensor. The simulator is intended to simulate precise corrective ability, in tracking, and is intended to show the cost-effective potential of a single axis system with minimal complications.
UAH CONCIM: The Get-Away Special (GAS) team is working on a project to determine the curability of concrete in zero gravity. The GAScan flew aboard the shuttle in July, 1994.

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