Projects · Spaceflight

UKPIK-1 CubeSat structure

Jun 2023launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 (CRS-28)

ISSdeployed from the International Space Station

4agencies' specs met: NASA, CSA, SpaceX, Nanoracks

Ukpik-1 deploying from the ISS, June 2023, live from the NRCSD26 stream. Video: Nanoracks, official.

What

2U CubeSat structure: the load path carrying every subsystem through launch
Mechanical engineering capstone with Western, Nunavut Arctic College, NASA, and CSA
Immersive-VR camera payload operating in orbit

How

FEA of the launch environment, verified against hand calculations
Iterated for vibration, resonance, manufacturing, and assembly
Prototype machined to NASA, CSA, SpaceX, and Nanoracks specifications

Result

Launched June 2023 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 (CRS-28)
Deployed from the International Space Station
Operating in orbit today

Role

Mechanical engineering capstone at Western University, in partnership with Nunavut Arctic College, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency. I owned the satellite's structure: the load path that carries every subsystem through launch.

Ukpik-1 deploying from the International Space Station with Earth and clouds below — Deployment from the ISS, June 2023. Image credit: NASA/Nanoracks deployment stream.

UKPIK-1 team with the CubeSat structure at the Western University arch — Structures team with the prototype, Western University.

Annotated CAD render of the CubeSat structure labeling cover plates, camera plate, mounting plate, and outer rails — Structure CAD, annotated: cover plates, camera plate, mounting plate, outer rails. 10 cm cube, approximately 1 kg.

Finite element analysis stress and displacement plots of the CubeSat rail structure — FEA of the rail structure, verified against hand calculations.

Gloved hands assembling the CubeSat structure — Structure assembly.

CubeSat structure mounted to a vibration test fixture plate — Vibration test fixture.

UKPIK-1 CubeSat flight unit with solar panels installed — Flight unit, solar panels installed.

Links and pressWestern News: Satellite to launch aboard SpaceX·Western Space: CubeSat project