AIT

Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE)

Overview

AIT refers to the Assembly, Integration, and Test activities related to the spacecraft. The AIT team oversees planning, executing, and documenting said activities. For a general Overview of the AIT responsibilities and flow down of the activities refer to the main AIT page.

All AIT activities will take place in a class 100,000 clean-room located at Magellan Aerospace. For more information regarding the facility and available Ground Support Equipment (GSE) such as the TVAC chamber and vibration table refer to the AIT Facility and GSE page.

Model Philosophy

The AIT subsystem requires a Simulation Model (SM), an Engineering Model (EM), an Engineering Qualification Model (EQM), and a Flight Model (FM) to support the assembly, integration, and test requirements. Figure below shows an overview of the AIT Model Philosophy within each phase of the LI-Bus project.

Simulation Model:

Simulation Model in AIT refers to a series of CAD modeled jigs that are designed to support the CubeSat during the space-craft level tests. These GSE jigs shall be used during FlatSat, Vibration test, and TVAC tests. During phase A, proper jigs will be sought after and later designed in phase B. The CAD models will be updated throughout phase C and D as necessary.

Engineering Model:

Other than the jig modeled in phase B, the FlatSat test will require further electrical GSE. All together, the engineering model for the FlatSat will be built in phase C with collaboration of related subsystems such as Attitude and Orbit Determination and Control System (AODCS), Command and Data Handling (CDH), Power, and Communications.

Engineering Qualification Model:

The GSE that was designed throughout phase A and B will be ordered and built during Phase C and attached to the CubeSat for test purposes. Note that these GSE will not be included in the Flight model and will be detached once the AIT tests are satisfied. The GSE may be updated during phase D as the design requires.

Flight Model:

A flight version of the FlatSat shall be created during phase D to be incorporated in the Flight model. Note that this version of the FlatSat will be included in the final design and eventually sent to the space.

Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE)

General Handling MGSE

The expandable MGSE is employed for the overall handling of CubeSats during Phase D (AIT). This jig securely holds the CubeSat via rails on both the X and Y-axes, enabling team members to execute tasks safely without risking damage to external deployment mechanisms like solar cell arrays.

Assembly Plan:

Required Tools:

Screwdriver with 4 mm hex drive

Required Components:

1 x UMS-0618 - Bottom Board
4 x UMS-0620 - Support Piece
2 x UMS-0616 - Corner Piece 1
2 x UMS-0617 - Corner Piece 2
24 x UMS-0614 - Blue-Dyed Zinc-Plated Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw, M5 x 0.8 mm Thread, 35 mm Long
4 x UMS-0619 - Z Face Corners
- 1 x UMS-0615 - Z Face Bottom Board

To set up the expanded form, position the long corners (UMS-0616 and UMS-0617) to match up with the tapped holes on the bottom board. Ensure these corners line up precisely with the outermost holes on the bottom board (UMS-0618). Also, match up two of the support pieces (UMS-0620) with the tapped holes parallel to the handles. Fasten the screws (UMS-0614) passing through the corner and support pieces as shown in the drawings below.

For the condensed form, omit two of the support pieces (on the short sides of the rectangle) and align the remaining pieces with the innermost holes on the bottom board. and fasten the screws.

AIT Figure 1: X/Y Face Handling MGSE (Expanded Form)

To set up the Z face handle, align the Z face corners (UMS-0619) with the tapped holes on the corners of the z face bottom board (UMS-0615). Also, Align the remaining two support pieces (UMS-0620) with the tapped holes on the long side of the board. Fasten the screws (UMS-0614) through the corner and support pieces.

AIT Figure 2: Z Face Handling MGSE

FlatSat MGSE

The FlatSat MGSE is a flexible display setup that allows for arrangement of the major components and electronic boards on a secure plate designated for FlatSat activities.

AIT Figure 3: FlatSat MGSE

Assembly Plan

Required Tools:

Screwdriver with 1.5 mm hex drive

Required Components:

4 x UMS-0621 - Bottom board
32 x UMS-0622 - Hex Standoff Threaded M2 Brass 0.984" (25.00mm) Silver
16 x UMS-0623 -Alloy Steel Socket Head Screw, Black-Oxide, M2 x 0.4 mm Thread, 6 mm Long
Electronic boards

AIT Figure 4: Assembeled FlatSat MGSE

To set up FlatSat MGSE, fasten the male side of the standoffs to the tapped holes on the board, place the electronics board on the appropriate position/square on the FlatSat board, and fasten the screws (UMS-0623) through the electronics boards onto the standoffs.

Finally, attach the appropriate harnessing and connectors to perform FlatSat.

AIT Figure 5: Assembled FlatSat with Boards

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