CubeSat Lab
GENERAL OVERVIEW
As the first undergraduate satellite from the University of Chicago, PULSE-A’s primary mission objective focuses on demonstrating novel, polarization-modulated optical communications from space to ground.
PULSE-A is the University of Chicago’s first-ever student satellite project. It offers an entirely unique and interdisciplinary opportunity for hands-on engagement in almost all aspects of mechanical, electrical, and aerospace engineering.
Because none of these engineering programs exist at UChicago, the PULSE-A team relies almost exclusively on the independent learning, motivation, and self-initiative of our dedicated members. We represent the largest student-run engineering project on campus.
PULSE-A stands for Polarization modUlated Laser Satellite Experiment. The goal of our satellite is to demonstrate space-to-ground laser communication, using a novel form of polarization-keyed data transmission. If we accomplish such a task, we will join a very short list of institutions who have done so and become the first entirely undergraduate team to ever do it.
Space-to-ground communication is most often conducted using radio frequency (RF) transmission. While satellite sizes have shrunk to minimize cost and devselopment timelines, the amount of data collected in space has grown significantly. This underpins an increasing necessity for higher-throughput communication methods. Unfortunately, high data rate RF transceivers propose significant size, weight and power (SWaP), as well as cost restrictions, especially for small form-factor satellite projects. This often results in compromise, where transmission rates are the limiting factor for data collection on nanosatellites, and creates an obstacle for efficient and effective scientific research. Optical communication methods propose a solution to this problem, allowing for data transmission at rates orders of magnitude better than traditional RF, while being more secure and SWaP efficient.
LASER COMMUNICATIONS