Warwick CanSat I
The Challenge - 2018-19 Team
We are to design and construct a rudimentary satellite (sadly, this one won't make it into space) and drop it from a launch vessel between 100 and 150 metres from the ground. We are required that it falls at a rate between 5 and 10 metres per second so we must use a correctly-sized parachute array.
As it falls, it must measure the external pressure and temperature and, using that information, generate its real-time altitude.
At a given frequency, the CanSat must transmit its readings of pressure, temperature, its calculated altitude, its voltage, and the time at which these were recorded as packets of information to a groundbase.
There are several other more detailed requirements such as the type of batteries we must use and the forms of units we must use. We shan't bore you with all of these now but they may come up later as we report on any project developments.
In case you were wondering quite how much like a can this nifty device will be, it shall measure 66 millimetres in diameter and 115 millimetres in height and weigh no more than 350 grams. That is the same width as a generic can of Coke but a little shorter and weighing a little less!
The Team
Systems:
Jenni French (Physics)
Michael Vangelatos (Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering)
Mechanical:
Isaac Sturm (Mechanical Engineering)
Archie Worral (Mechanical Engineering)
Electrical:
Maksim Makerov (Electronic Engineering)
Ross Taylor (Maths and Physics)
Software:
Akshay Kothari (WMG - Innovation and Entrepeneurship)
Paul Stinson (Computer Systems)
As you can see, our CanSat project has interdisciplinary membership, making for imaginative solutions and fresh perspectives on many of the project matters.
Thanks to our sponsor, RS Components, for providing us with quality electrical parts for the construction of our CanSat probe and to WUSAT for their continuous support in the development of our product.
