What’s in a satellite?
Satellites tend to be the same six systems used in different combinations. You can probably predict what they’ll be with a little time spent thinking about it..
Start with the Basics
This is a collection of all our entry level articles. We try to give a good overview without getting too technical. Then we link you to YouTube videos and websites that may help you further.
Spacecraft Power Basics
Power systems are the power sources (like solar panels), power storage (like lithium-ion batteries), and power distribution (like cables). Those three things can get surprisingly complex and everyone loves a good power engineer.
Space Environment Basics
Space can be a pretty boring place to fly around in for months or even years at a time. Then, suddenly, you’re hit with a piece of dust that blasts a hole in your solar panels.
Spacecraft Software Basics
Spacecraft are a lot like robots on Earth. They both have things that move, they have sensors such as cameras, and they’ve got to operate without human help sometimes.
Requirement Basics
Some people don’t like requirements and think they slow you down. Don’t listen to them! Bad requirements slow you down and no requirements end programs.
System Engineering Basics
System engineers get everyone working towards the same goals, help people share information, and tend to do most of the paperwork.
Spacecraft Structures Basics
At a bare minimum, structural analysis engineers make sure your spacecraft isn’t going to fall apart (it happens!). Good analysis work will also optimize the structure so it’s not too heavy.
Spacecraft Thermal Basics
It’s easy to get too hot in space and then thirty minutes later be too cold. Thermal engineers work to try to keep everything at a comfortable and constant temperature through these changes.
Spacecraft Communication Basics
Communications is between anything and everything: the spacecraft and the ground, the spacecraft and other spacecraft, and ground stations to operation centers. Even simple satellites can have multiple communication paths to think about.
Design & Construction Standards Overview
NASA and other agencies have learned a lot of lessons over the years. They’ve documented ways to avoid the common problems through their various design and construction standards. They cover everything from radio systems to how to torque a fastener.
Spacecraft Controls Overview
For the most part, this is a “solved” problem. There are thousands of spacecraft and most all of them are using some combination of a handful of options.