The world is digital, but life is analog..
I presented a paper titled “The Design and Implementation of UMP STEM Cube for Environmental Monitoring” on Day 2 of the 2024 Research and Education in Mechatronics (REM) Conference.
This paper showcases the development of the UMP STEM Cube (LilEx 3), a 1U pico-satellite designed to monitor environmental conditions, specifically focusing on air quality. Developed at the UMPSA STEM Lab in 2021, the LilEx (short for Little Explorer) represents the lab’s aspiration to create small but powerful tools for environmental monitoring. The version showcased in the paper is the third iteration, LilEx 3, which utilizes the Raspberry Pi Pico as its main processor, providing a compact yet efficient platform for onboard data handling and transmission.
The UMP STEM Cube is a prototype pico-satellite, measuring just 56mm x 85mm x 40mm, with a mission to monitor air quality and atmospheric data from space. Its primary mission focuses on recording and transmitting temperature, humidity, altitude, and atmospheric pressure data in real-time. The secondary mission involves measuring the vertical distribution of PM2.5—fine particulate matter—with the goal of identifying pollution hotspots and analysing air quality at different altitudes.
CubeSats like the LilEx 3 offer a cost-effective solution to environmental monitoring by providing data from a broader spatial perspective compared to traditional ground-based sensors. Unlike ground-based systems, CubeSats can monitor remote or inaccessible areas, making them invaluable tools for comprehensive environmental surveillance.
Key Features of LilEx3 include its’ modular architecture, primary sensors and an onboard HPM2.5 sensor to measures fine particulate matter.
LilEx 3 Design
The LilEx 3 houses the following key subsystems –
Flight Simulators
To ensure successful deployment and mission execution, LilEx 3 underwent rigorous flight simulations. These simulations were critical in testing the satellite’s ability to withstand launch conditions, deploy successfully in space, and maintain functional communication with the ground station.
Primary and Secondary Missions
The primary mission of the LilEx 3 is to monitor and transmit real-time environmental data during its descent and orbit, specifically focusing on atmospheric parameters. The main objectives include:
The secondary mission is more focused and aims to track PM2.5 levels, particularly the vertical distribution of fine particulate matter in the atmosphere. This secondary mission enables:
System Architecture
The architecture of LilEx 3 is designed for simplicity, modularity, and efficiency-
Challenges in Building CubeSats – Lessons from the UMP STEM Cube
While the LilEx 3 has proven to be a successful platform for environmental monitoring, developing pico-satellites comes with significant challenges, with a better Power Management, Miniaturization of Components, better Communication, Data Handling, Structural Integrity and Durability.
Our next CubeSat mission, which will incorporate FPGA technology, aims to push the boundaries of what is possible with small satellites, InSyaAllah, enabling us to tackle even more complex environmental challenges while enhancing data processing and communication capabilities.
Some of the presenters on Day 2
pro
Senior Design Project for undergraduate program in FTKEE.
Well done everyone!