Mission Design for the CubeSat OUFTI-1

CHAPTER10COMMUNICATION SYSTEMThe communication system is the interface between the satellite and the earth.If in the case of OUTI-1 it also represents the payload, for the next missions ofLEODIUM Project it will be just a mean to be in contact with the spacecraft.The D-STAR system is used as main communication tool to send command,both for the satellite and for the future payloads, and to receive telemetry andpayload’s results. Given that D-STAR is an amateur-radio protocol, we planto make our CubeSat available to the ham-radio community when the radiolink is not used for command and telemetry. Furthermore, we plan to getspontaneous help from the worldwide amateur-radio community to keep an eyeon our satellite when it is not within sight of our ground station.Aware of the fact that a D-STAR has never flown into space, we cannot takefor granted that everything will go fine, especially considering the fight loadsat launch and the radiation environment in orbit. Furthermore, if somethingfails just after launch, we strongly desire to be able to assess what happenedwith the satellite. Therefore, we will place a backup command and telemetrysystem based on a CW beacon. Probably always switch on, it will be able tosend minimum housekeeping and to receive some commands.97