Irvine02

Project Overview

Irvine02 was the second CubeSat developed by the Irvine CubeSat STEM Program, building on the success and lessons learned from Irvine01. This advanced 1U CubeSat featured significant improvements in communications, imaging capabilities, and overall system reliability.

Mission Objectives

Irvine02's mission objectives included:

• Capturing high-resolution Earth imagery for environmental monitoring
• Testing an improved communications system with higher data throughput
• Demonstrating a new attitude control system for precise pointing
• Validating a radiation-hardened onboard computer
• Collecting data on the space environment in low Earth orbit

Technical Advancements

Compared to its predecessor, Irvine02 featured several technical advancements:

• Enhanced Imaging System: Higher resolution camera with improved optics
• Advanced Communications: Dual-band radio system with higher bandwidth
• Improved Power System: More efficient solar panels and battery management
• Precision Attitude Control: Reaction wheels for fine pointing control
• Radiation-Hardened Electronics: Better protection against space radiation

Technical Specifications

Irvine02 had the following specifications:

• Form Factor: 1U CubeSat (10 × 10 × 10 cm)
• Mass: 1.3 kg
• Power: Deployable solar panels with enhanced battery system
• Communications: Dual-band radio system (UHF/S-band)
• Payload: High-resolution camera and environmental sensors
• Attitude Control: Reaction wheels and magnetorquers
• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Development Challenges

The development of Irvine02 presented several unique challenges:

• Miniaturizing advanced systems to fit within the 1U form factor
• Balancing power requirements with limited solar panel area
• Ensuring reliable communications with the ground station
• Developing robust flight software for autonomous operations
• Implementing redundancy for critical systems

Launch and Mission Operations

Irvine02 was successfully launched on December 3, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the SSO-A SmallSat Express mission. After deployment, the satellite established communication with the ground station network and began its mission operations.

The mission operations team, consisting of high school students with mentor guidance, conducted regular communication passes to:

• Monitor satellite health and status
• Upload command sequences
• Download mission data and imagery
• Analyze performance and make operational adjustments

Scientific and Educational Achievements

Irvine02 achieved several notable accomplishments:

• Captured hundreds of Earth images for environmental monitoring
• Demonstrated reliable high-bandwidth communications from a student-built CubeSat
• Collected valuable data on the space environment
• Provided hands-on aerospace engineering experience to over 40 high school students
• Established the Irvine CubeSat program as a leader in STEM education

Team Structure

The Irvine02 team was organized into specialized subsystem groups:

• Mechanical: Responsible for structural design and thermal management
• Electrical: Designed power and communication systems
• Software: Developed flight and ground software
• Payload: Focused on camera and sensor integration
• Systems Engineering: Ensured overall mission success
• Operations: Prepared for post-launch activities

Legacy and Impact

Irvine02 has left a lasting legacy in educational aerospace:

• Demonstrated the viability of high school space programs
• Created a sustainable model for STEM education through space projects
• Inspired similar programs across the United States and internationally
• Provided a pathway for students to enter aerospace careers
• Contributed valuable data to the scientific community