A and M, to launch UT satellites

The long-time rivalry between Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin has a new battleground: space.

AggieSAT2, a satellite designed and built by Texas A&M students, and BEVO-1, a satellite designed and built by University of Texas students, are slated to launch this Saturday on Space Shuttle Endeavor.

"AggieSAT2 is a small class of satellite called a picosatellite," said NASA project manager David Kanipe. "In this case, AggieSAT2 is a five-inch cube and weighs about 3.5 kg."

The satellites each contain a Global Positioning System unit designed by NASA, Kanipe said.

"The satellites are designed a little differently, but they both have a GPS inside," said John Graves, AggieSAT lab manager and aerospace engineering graduate student. "This particular unit was built in-house by NASA."

On this mission, the satellites will collect flight data on a GPS receiver, then downlink and analyze this data over the course of at least two orbits, Kanipe said.

"The ultimate project goal for these small satellites from A&M and UT, is for them to successfully demonstrate what is called Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D) in low earth orbit (LEO)," Kanipe said. "If you've seen the Space Shuttle dock with the International Space Station on TV, then you've seen a rendezvous and docking. An autonomous rendezvous and docking is simply the capability to perform the same function without the benefit of human intervention."

Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking is considered one of the most complex phases of flight, Kanipe said.

"At first blush [ARD] may seem like a lot to lay on a couple of universities," Kanipe said. "I have found, however, that if students get engaged in a real-world problem where they can apply their academic skills, they bring a lot of enthusiasm and creativity to the table."

Creativity played an important role in designing and building the satellites, said Henri Kjellberg, BEVO-1 systems engineer and University of Texas aerospace engineering graduate student.

"Working on these satellite projects you get a multidisciplinary view," Kjellberg said. "In reality, everything touches on everything."

Students at Texas A&M and the University of Texas were responsible for designing and constructing the satellites, Graves said.

"The construction was done by graduate and undergraduate students, primarily undergrads," Graves said. "All the physical hands-on construction has been done by university students."

Some parts for the satellites were purchased off-the-shelf, while others had to be built by the students, Kjellberg said.

"We needed to machine these parts, and we needed to meet the requirements for safety that NASA set," Kjellberg said. "Over time, over multiple versions, we were able to get a final product."

Competition was also a factor, Kjellberg said.

"In the end the project itself is a success if both schools meet the mission requirements. That's what we're hoping for," Kjellberg said. "At the same time, both of the schools are trying to make their satellite just a little cooler."

The rivals' friendly competition has enhanced the project, Kanipe said.

"This first mission has been a tremendously successful learning experience," Kanipe said. "The two universities have learned to appreciate each other's strengths and they truly consider this project as a collaborative project."