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Sohn Systems Quick Connect Spacecraft Connector:

The quick connect spacecraft connector allows users to quickly, with minimum effort, secure object on spacecraft. The connector uses patented U-dot technology to fasten two plates together. This means that by attaching a plate of U's and Dot's to an object you can quickly slide the plate onto another plate of U's and dots to ensure that the object is securely fastened.

Background:

Sohn Systems developed his patented U-dot technology in order to provide a quick and simple means of both mechanical and electrical connection between two devices. Developed specifically with space travel in mind, this design is to be used by astronauts for making connections between interfaces aboard space stations universal. Furthermore, Sohn Systems envisions this design to be used beyond space travel, as making quick electrical connections for data and power transfer could be useful across many industry. Sohn Systems has tasked us with improving on this design to give it a simple locking and ensure that it meets the standards necessary to board a NASA flight.

Project Overview:

Over the course of this project, we will be required to do the following:

• Research how USB's send data and how data transfer works

• Research various materials for manufacturing and manufacturing methods

• Design a working locking mechanism for the connector

Project Objectives:

For this project we will be using the U-dot technology to develop a product which will be able to attach CubeSats to a launch bay. This will include adding the following capabilities to the connectors:

First Priority

• Design and fabricate locking mechanism

• Be able to transfer data via USB

• Is manufactured using NASA approved materials

Second Priority

• make the locking mechanism in such a way where it can be done autonomously

• Optimize for minimum weight with maximum strength

Final Design:

Our Final design improved on the original Sohn System design in 3 key ways:

1. The boards are now capable of data transfer via USB 3.0

• Pogo pins are used on the functional prototype, but fuzz buttons are recommended for the final design

2. The boards have a positive lock via a flex joint locking mechanism

3. The board is now made out of 7075 Aluminum