The next MXL satellite, GRIFEX, is integrated to a Delta II rocket, ready for launch next week on 29 January 2015. The GRIFEX CubeSat mission will perform engineering assessments of a JPL-developed all digital focal plane array read-out integrated circuit (ROIC). This high frame rate imaging technology is an essential component for a future planned atmospheric chemistry and Continue Reading »
Large-Scale Multidisciplinary Optimization of a Small Satellite’s Design and Operation
John T. Hwang, Dae Young Lee, James W. Cutler, and Joaquim R. R. A. Martins. “Large-Scale Multidisciplinary Optimization of a Small Satellite’s Design and Operation“, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 51, No. 5 (2014), pp. 1648-1663.
doi: 10.2514/1.A32751
The design of satellites and their operation is a complex task that involves a large number of variables and multiple engineering Continue Reading »
GRIFEX Flight Unit!
The GRIFEX team full assembled the flight unit for the first time yesterday. See the pictures below. Integration has been flawless so far and we are on schedule for a delivery of the flight unit in August to Cal Poly for launch integration. This week will be performing a vibration test of GRIFEX and a Continue Reading »
MC2 in 2014 NASA Science Plan
MCubed-2 and its sister satellite, IPEX which was developed at Cal Poly, both appeared in the NASA 2014 Science Plan. See page 98 of the full science plan. CubeSats are mentioned throughout the plan as a tool for education, technology development, and potentially science. The Heliophysics Research Program describes the Diversify, Real- ize, Integrate, Continue Reading »
GRIFEX coordinated by IARU
Many thanks to the IARU team helping to coordinate global satellite frequencies. GRIFEX was recently coordinated by them, and we will be operating at our typical MXL CubeSat frequency of 437.485. GRIFEX launch is scheduled for the fall of 2014. Follow this link to the IARU list of coordinated satellites.
