Hackney Space Centre Plan

HackSat One is due to launch on 9th December 2013. This page summarises ideas for areas to work on for Hackney Space Centre prior to launch.

For an introduction to the project check out https://flux.org.uk/projects/hacksat/

NB. Flux is still working on this page, stay tuned for an announcement on the mailing list.

Mast & Antenna

In order to be able to receive signals from HackSat at the Hackspace we need an antenna that can see south and isn't obstructed by buildings.

• Making mast trailer operational (can extend to 30m, so easily tops local buildings)
• Steerable antenna
• Control software for steerable antenna
  • Test with ISS and FUNcube prior to HackSat launch

Signal Decoding

There are 128 sprites to decode. At present decoding in real time requires ~ 2 x 2.5GHz Core2 cores.

• Automation
• GNU Radio programming
• Borg and sister servers has 64 cores
• Increasing speed of FFT (GPU? AVX?)

Mission Control

To see results, work with other ground stations and manage the mission.

• Tracking ISS and HackSat Orbit
• Communications with other ground stations and main KickSat mission control
• Visualising decoded data from our and other ground stations, e.g. spinning 3D model of sprite matching actual motion of HackSat
• Physically building out area in Hackspace with monitors, comms etc.
  • Where does this go physically in the Space?

Science!

HackSat can only transmit a little basic data, but that doesn't mean we can't learn interesting things. The sensors can measure:

• temperature
• magnetic field
• spin rate
• time since exiting Earth's shadow

Publishing

• Make data from our ground station available online
• Twitter feed from HackSat One

Launch Party

• Video feed of Falcon 9 launch
• Video link to main mission control for KickSat
• LHS Bikeshed
• ...

Miscellaneous Ideas

• Brew a commemorative HackSat beer
• Fabric mission decals
• ...