Cansat Development Program in Tokyo Institute of Technology

CanSat Development
Program in Tokyo Institute of

Technology
International CanSat Workshop

2007
Tokyo Institute of Technology Matunaga Lab.
Yasumi Konda
Contents
Introduction
CanSat projects in Tokyo Tech
Image acquisition
ComeBack competition
Demonstration of CubeSat’s function
Educational aspect
ComeBack Competition in Japan
Future perspectives
International CanSat Workshop 2007

Introduction
We develop our CanSats around four main objectives..
Image acquisition
Main objective : to Have fun!!
… and to use the pictures as confirmation for other missions
ComeBack competition
Basic experiments for space application
For example we conducted an antenna deployment
experiment in 2001 and then used this knowledge for our
CubeSat.
Educational purposes
New members who have not joined the CubeSat project yet
gain knowledge through the CanSat projects. After
completion, they are integrated in the CubeSat development
team and entrusted with some main tasks.

CanSats of Tokyo Tech
Tokyo Tech members have developed 22 CanSats !
We have participated in Arliss in Nevada since 1999
,Itakura Competition in 2002 and 2003
,Kyusyu Competition in 2004 and 2005
and Noshiro Competition in 2005 and 2006
1999 Spider
Tether mission
Tether Shuttle
Tether mission
[etc.]
Data acquisition
SabSat
Image acquisition
Yellow:
2000 C4-SAT AQUARIUS GNSSAT SabSat2 SSTV-SAT OpenClass size
Image acquisition Data acquisition GPS mission Image acquisition SSTV mission
2001 OpenClass SabSat3 (8 CanSats)
ComeBack Image acquisition
2002 OpenClass CanSat GEMINI
Rover mission ComeBack ComeBack
2003 CUTEii Tracky by the
ComeBack ComeBack
2004 Pelican MAEDA Monster members who
ComeBack
2005 Tomas
New Technology
Mo-Sat
ComeBack are 3rd year
Image acquisition ComeBack students at
2006 Da Vinci Spopovic
ComeBack ComeBack Tokyo Tech

Image acquisition(1)
1999 ATV 1200MHz 2000
The 1st year, we simply put an

Amateur TeleVision (ATV) equipment
In 2000, with a higher transmission
set on the CanSat like on the right
power, we succeeded in the
figure.
acquisition of images of much
The image acquired by the camera is
better quality.
shown in the left but it is not good
because the power transmission is
very limited
This technology can be applied for other missions in order to monitor a mechanism
working. For example, in 2001, to monitor antenna deployment mechanism, this
movie transmitting system was used. And in 2003, the parafoil deployment
mechanism was also monitored by the camera and the movie transmitted by radio.

Image acquisition(2)
2004 2005
The team installed a film camera The team installed a common

on the CanSat to take more digital camera on the CanSat to
beautiful pictures from the sky. take high resolution pictures.
Two motors handled the camera,
one for sliding and the other for An onboard computer using Linux
pushing the shutter button. controlled the triggering of the
The results were good but capture, using a remote USB PTP
slightly blurred since this camera protocol. 36 high resolution
didn’t have integrated shutter pictures were taken in the air.
speed control.
These experiments were fun.
ComeBack competition(1)
This project started in 2001 when the
members of Matunaga Lab. developed a first
CanSat for the ComeBack competition.
2001 In this first CanSat, we controled
the parafoil to come back to the
OBC target point using GPS data.
Battery
Battery
This mission however failed
because the strong force due to
GPS Receiver Servo Motor the rapid deployment of the
injured the motor shortly after
ejection from the rocket.
Come back competition(2)
2002 2003
By using two motors, we We tried to conduct an

tried to prevent the experiment of a two-step
destruction of the motor
To prevent
spiral motion deployment using a parachute
as in 2001. This problem and parafoil. We considered that
was indeed solved but a after ejection
it would make the CanSat’s
new problem came up from the rocket: attitude more stable.
…spiral motion, This experiment however failed
caused by a deficient because the structure was too
deployment of the parafoil. weak and broke.

Technology Demonstration
CanSat -- Satellite
Similarities
CanSat can be considered as a good experimental model for satellites
because they are thrown away from a rocket that might shake it hard,
and during all the mission process physical interation is impossible
with it.
Differences
One of the differences is that a CanSat can be picked up after the
experiment is over.
We think it is significant to conduct on CanSats verification

experiments of technology which will be used for CubeSat or
other satellites.
Demonstration(1)
Antenna deployment
We conducted an
2001 Antenna antenna deployment
for camera Nichrome line
mechanism experiment
for our 1st CubeSat,
Deployment
CCD camera CUTE-I.
Structure Antenna
In the left figure, three flexible antennas are originally coiled and tied with Nylon
line. In the air, the Nylon line is cut using heat and the three antennas are
deployed. This mechanism was going to be installed in the CubeSat. The
verification test on the CanSat was monitored by an ATV camera which had been
developed since the 1st CanSat experiment in 1999.
After the CanSat was launched, the movie taken by camera was downloaded
on our screens in real time, using an FM transmitter, and we are informed of
the experiment’s success.
Our first CubeSat CUTE-I was launched in 2003, using this antenna
deployment mechanism and was a success in space thanks to our previous
CanSat expriment
Demonstration(2)
GMSK experiment
2004
we conducted in 2004 another
verification mission for our second
CubeSat, named “Cute-1.7 +
APD”.
In this mission:
We tested the GMSK modulation, which is a better modulation than the
classic one, and checked our system. The GMSK modem for CubeSats was
developed to enable higher rate communications in order to transfer larger
image files.
That experiment wasn’t a full success, but we acquired useful knowledge.

After some improvements were made to the modem, the Cute-1.7 + APD
Cubesat was launched with this system and was able to communicate with
the ground station from space using GMSK modulation.

Training of 3rd year students
Since the CanSat project has educational aspects, it’s good for our university
students in engineering course to have an experience in CanSat development
when they are in their third year.
We thus train students highly interested and eager to work students.
This is also a part of the appeal of our laboratory, and we can thus expect
members with experience gained in this project to join us.
In 2003, we started this scheme for the first time in Japan, and 6 members
developed a CanSat during their 2 month summer vacation.
GPS Antenna
OBC
Servo Motor
Transceiver
Circuit Board Antenna
We were pleased to see that many of those who took part in the
CanSat project when they were in 3rd year then joined the
Matunaga Laboratory !
Training of new laboratory members
2005 2006 ・ComeBack
・Linux
・Digital Camera ・GMSK
・2.4GHz ATV
All five members Four members
were new out of six were
members of the new members.
laboratory
These days, the CanSat projects provide the new members of

Matunaga Lab. with an on-hand experience. These CanSats are
developed by students who do not know much about satellite
development, but want to have an experience.
This is a part of educational activities where, while making a CanSat,
they learn a lot not only about satellite development but also the
importance of teamwork and project planning.
They are now mostly members of the CubeSat project.
Competitions in Japan
2004,2005 2005,2006 Apart from ARLISS, we have also
taken part in all the competitions
held in Japan as shown the left
figure. We could fix some CanSats
by learning from the failures
during ARLISS and try again using
balloon instead of rockets launches
in Itakura and Kyusyu.
In 2005 the competition at Noshiro
started.
2002,2003
Future perspectives
Education 2005
Learn about satellite development Tomas
Learn about the importance of teamwork and

project planning
Appeal
To interest the members who didn’t belong
previously to the Matunaga Lab. 2004 Monster
Demonstration opportunity for new

technologies looking forward to
CubeSat project
…and other space missions
2001 OpenClass

Thank you for your attention.
http://lss.mes.titech.ac.jp/ssp/arliss/
If you have any question don’t hesitate to

contact us at
yasu@lss.mes.titech.ac.jp

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CanSat Development

Program in Tokyo Institute of

International CanSat Workshop

International CanSat Workshop 2007

International CanSat Workshop 2007

International CanSat Workshop 2007

The 1st year, we simply put an

International CanSat Workshop 2007

The team installed a film camera The team installed a common

By using two motors, we We tried to conduct an

International CanSat Workshop 2007

We think it is significant to conduct on CanSats verification

That experiment wasn’t a full success, but we acquired useful knowledge.

International CanSat Workshop 2007

These days, the CanSat projects provide the new members of

 Learn about the importance of teamwork and

Demonstration opportunity for new

International CanSat Workshop 2007

If you have any question don’t hesitate to

International CanSat Workshop 2007

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Learn about the importance of teamwork and