CanSAT: The miniature satellite by students from NTTF

“On the occasion of 75 years of independence, India is going to launch 75 satellites into space made by Indian students in schools and colleges. To strengthen the science-based approach, India is promoting experience-based learning.” – PM Narendra Modi on India’s 75 Student Satellite Mission 2022

It all started with PM Narendra Modi’s announcement related to the launch of 75 satellites made by students. Yes, students from Indian colleges and universities will be involved in the entire process of launching actual space satellites.

Contributing to PM’s vision and providing a platform to the students to experience the process of launching a satellite, Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF) organized a first-of-its-kind workshop where a Drone, carrying a miniature satellite, was successfully launched by a group of NTTF trainees from their NEC campus in Bangalore. NTTF will be launching its very own satellite as a part of India’s 75 Student Satellite Mission 2022.

Team NSN followed up with students and faculty members who were a part of the entire satellite launching session to learn more about the behind-the-scenes of the CanSAT workshop after hearing about the exceptional effort by NTTF.

Mr. V Rajasekaran, Sr. GM, Principal-NEC, NTTF, Electronic City, Bengaluru hosted a virtual meet along with the project leadership that included Ms. V. Dharmambal, NEC – NTTF and other team members like representatives from TSC Technologies. We had the opportunity to speak with 30 students who had first-hand experience in launching the CanSATs and taking their first step in Space Technologies.

Let’s get into the technical aspects of the CanSAT programme by NTTF

The CanSAT was launched in the presence of notable space scientists, including former ISRO scientist Dr. R.M. Vasagam, and was supported by UNISEC India.

“In order to familiarize our students with the theory and practical aspects of satellite launch, we held a workshop and also conducted a test launch of the satellite using drones”, said Ms. V. Dharmambal who is a core team member from the faculty, responsible for the successful launch of the satellites.  

The CanSAT is a tiny satellite that is designed in the shape of a soft drink can and has all of the essential components of a true satellite, including power, sensors, and communication devices.

Sharing more details about the selection of students for the workshop Ms.V. Dharmambal added, ” Students from diverse fields were picked for the teams, which resulted in a mix of disciplines like Tool Engineering and Digital Manufacturing, Electronics Engineering and Embedded System, Computer Engineering and IT Infrastructure, Mechatronics Engineering and Smart Factory and Information Technology and Data Science. The entire process, from design to launch, took place entirely on campus. TSC Technologies provided expert training to the students.

Actual satellite launch necessitates a massive infrastructure and a precise proportion system, both of which are only accessible at ISRO. The workshop and the test launch, on the other hand, gave the students a general notion of how everything works.”

As members of the CanSAT launch team, the students had the opportunity to learn more about satellite design, production, and integration. The knowledgeable instructors assisted the students in learning more about the actual satellite that would be launched into space.

When it comes to the design and integration of the miniature satellite CanSAT, it is a scaled-down version of an actual satellite, carrying all of the critical components for a successful launch. Everything is integrated into a compact soft drink can spaced satellite model, including the OBC, power supply, sensors, and communication protocol.

Students from NTTF created a total of ten CanSATs, which were launched using drones after reaching a height of 100 meters.

“We successfully recorded all the data from the CanSAT in the ground control station after the launch. With the support of TSC Technologies, we are continuing to work on CubeSAT development. Our students will become increasingly knowledgeable about the actual satellite that will be launched into space”, said Ms. Jyothi, a trainer from NTTF. 

Here’s what the students had to say about the CanSAT programme 

The students were ecstatic to share their complete journey because the workshop gave them the opportunity to create something spectacular and one-of-a-kind.

Sharing her experience and excitement of being a part of the entire workshop, Ms. Maansi from the Mechatronics Department, NTTF, said, “when I first heard about the CanSAT programme, I was ecstatic because it meant we’d be able to try something new outside of our curriculum. And satellites are something that everyone is interested in. Launching a satellite necessitates a detailed understanding of the many stages involved. In addition, the well-balanced theory and practical lectures assisted us in gaining the necessary skills and knowledge. We were able to build something new thanks to the CanSAT programme, something we never thought we could.”

” Satellite and space technology piqued my curiosity. We were chosen and divided into groups after a rigorous selection procedure that involved multiple tests and interviews. We were initially given theoretical understanding about the technologies that were utilized to make the CanSAT, followed by practical training with TSC Technologies trainers”, said a student from the Computer Science department, NTTF.

The CanSAT programme assisted students in gaining necessary skills in space technology as well as provided them with much needed hands-on experience.

Sharing his experience of being a part of the CanSAT team, Mr. Sayeed, a student from NTTF said, ” we learned theory for the first half of the day and practicals during the second half. We learned everything there is to know about the components and how they work. We also had hands-on experience with satellite components like batteries, OBCs (On-Board Computer), and sensors. We were shown new and advanced technologies and given the opportunity to learn about them. The workshop provided us with an excellent opportunity to learn more about space. It aided us in honing our space technology skills. We’re still learning more about the whole process, which will help us improve our skills.”

The workshop not only taught the students technical skills relevant to space technology, but it also taught them important life skills such as time management, teamwork, and communication.

Talking about the life skills that she learned in the workshop, a student from Information Technology said, ” one of the most important skills I learned was teamwork, in addition to all of the technical skills. Students from various batches collaborated to construct and launch the CanSATs, which taught us how to function as a team. To make the launch possible, everyone on the team performed our parts.”

” The entire experience was enlightening and educational. Because the workshop covered a variety of technologies and trades linked to space technology, we were able to brush up on our subject knowledge while also learning a variety of new technical and life skills. I’m from the toolmaking department, and I’ve learned a lot about electronics, electrical circuit board design, and programming here. We had excellent guidance from knowledgeable instructors”, said Mr Sanjay, a student from Tool and Die Making.

Also read: All about the Diploma courses offered at NTTF- Admissions are now open! https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/all-about-the-diploma-courses-offered-at-nttf-admissions-are-now-open/

The NTTF’s CanSAT programme is a unique interdisciplinary project that gave students exposure to Space Technology, through a trailblazing project. It goes without saying that the satellite that NTTF will launch as part of India’s 75 Student Satellite Mission 2022 will be a success, given the quality of training and success of the CanSAT programme.