KY Space Grant TP-24-041: Development of Kentucky Aboard Norwegian GHOST (Sat) (KANG(S))

Development of Kentucky Aboard Norwegian GHOST (Sat) (KANG(S)) 1. Objective The objective of this project is to conduct a successful deployment of the KRUPS capsule and corresponding communication femtosats from a sounding rocket to validate payload instrumentation, rocket systems, and data collection technology. The test will assess the capsule’s performance during suborbital flight and ensure that the payload functions correctly under the extreme conditions of launch, ascent, and descent. The mission aims to gather scientific and performance data, which will be used to evaluate the efficacy of KRUPS communication, telemetry systems, and payload survival. 2. Scope of Work The scope of work for this project includes all activities required for the preparation, execution, launch and post-launch activities surrounding the sounding rocket test. This includes pre-launch preparations, the launch itself, and post-launch data retrieval and analysis, ensuring the mission objectives are met efficiently and safely. Following guidelines of this NASA program and objectives of the National Space Grant program, this is a design and operations project led by a team of engineering students. A. Pre-Launch Phase 1. Design and Planning: The team will plan all the detailed designs of the capsules and femtosats, ensuring that they meet all mission requirements. This includes confirming the rocket''s flight parameters (altitude, velocity, flight duration) and ensuring compatibility between the payload and the rocket''s instrumentation. Additional steps include collaboration with technical staff at NASA Wallops to review environmental factors such as weather conditions and how they may affect launch windows and mission safety. Finally, we will also work on establishing a comprehensive mission timeline, from final assembly to launch day, covering every milestone. 2. Safety and Compliance: We will also work with NASA Wallops staff and other relevant authorities to ensure all operations meet national and international safety regulations, such as those set by the Norwegian Space Center and international space law. We will submit risk assessments and mitigation plans for hazards, such as failure to deploy, ensuring robust contingency protocols are in place. We will review safety procedures with the NASA team through monthly design review meetings. 3. Ground Testing: As part of the test, we will conduct comprehensive pre-launch testing of the KRUPS and femtosat systems, including telemetry checks to ensure accurate data transmission during flight. The heat shield system will be tested for adequate protection from the environment. Environmental stress tests on the payload will ensure that it can survive the intense vibrations and extreme temperatures during launch and re-entry. We will review all system health checks, troubleshooting any discrepancies before integrating the capsule to the rocket. B. Launch Phase: During launch, we will perform a final set of systems checks, including telemetry, to ensure that all components are operating within safe parameters. We will monitor health of the capsule in real-time using ground-based telemetry systems, tracking its flight path and recording essential data such as altitude, velocity, and payload status. C. Post-Launch Phase: We will recover scientific data through telemetry transmission during flight and from data stored on the payload. We will retrieve the payload (if recovery systems are in place), assess its condition, and extract all experimental data. Perform a full analysis of the flight data, evaluating how well the capsule performed against pre-launch predictions. This includes examining any anomalies, deviations from planned flight paths, or data collection issues. We will compile a detailed report summarizing all phases of the mission, including pre-launch preparation, launch execution, and post-launch analysis. This report will include flight performance data, system diagnostics, payload results, and lessons learned. 3. Personnel Dr. Savio Poovathingal will serve as PI on the project and provide leadership of the student team to meet the overall project requirements and KY Space Grant Consortium objectives. The project will support an hourly undergraduate student to serve as team lead. A senior design team will contribute to mechanical design, avionics, and software / hardware engineering. Additional Engineering faculty will provide guidance as needed.