Larry K. Martin (University of Hawaii), Nicholas G. Fisher (University of Hawaii), Windell H. Jones (University of Hawaii), Monica M. L. Umeda (University of Hawaii), John G. Furumo (University of Hawaii), James R. Ah Heong Jr. (University of Hawaii), Toy Lim (University of Hawaii), Wayne A. Shiroma (University of Hawaii)
Keywords: SSA, ground-based
Abstract:
As a matter of national security, the US military must monitor and calibrate its 80+ C-band radar tracking stations on a consistent basis. These radar stations, which are distributed around the world, currently depend on two calibration satellites: RADCAL and DMSP F-15, launched in 1993 and 1999, respectively. Should either of these two satellites fail, the community of radar calibration users will no longer have a dependable means of calibration. Presented in this paper is the story behind a student-built satellite project, named Hooponopono (to make right in the Hawaiian language), which is the first radar calibration satellite to take on a CubeSat form-factor. Led by a team of undergraduate and graduate students, this project has enabled its participants to reach their true potentials and thus act as a training ground for a class of highly competent, multi-tiered engineers. The management practices implemented throughout this project follow those used by todays top defense contractors and engineering companies. Being involved in a project of this caliber, although time-consuming, provides the students with the experiences they need to make immediate and worthwhile contributions in todays workforce. Juggling the multitude of commitments they have, however, makes it a challenge. Hooponoponos concept of operations calls for the collection and dissemination of ephemeris data, while simultaneously conducting transponder interrogations. After acquiring both sets of data, a radar station requesting calibration can then correlate the two and implement its calibration algorithms as needed. Hooponopono and its mission were the basis for the University of Hawaiis participation in the AFOSR University Nanosat-6 Program. After completing a rigorous two-year, six-level review process, we were awarded with the Most Improved and Third Place Awards at the January 2011 Flight Competition Review. Hooponopono was also selected by NASA as a participant in its CubeSat Launch Initiative for an upcoming launch.
Date of Conference: September 13-16, 2011
Track: Poster