CSTB 1
From PicoSatPortal
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CSTB1 is a pico-satellite developed by Boeing to evaluate miniature spacecraft technologies
During the CSTB1 demonstrations, Boeing will test several new technologies, software designs and on-orbit operations for nano-satellite functions.
Boeing developed the CSTB1 spacecraft at its new Engineering Development Center in Huntington Beach, Calif., where engineers are exploring new ways to reduce the size, weight and power needs for key satellite components. The new facility includes a Mission Operations Center where on-orbit operations for CSTB1 will be conducted.
Weighing a little more than two pounds, CSTB1 consists of four microcontrollers as the brains, redundant communication systems with two independent radios, two high-capacity lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, a deployable antenna, a sophisticated control system that determines the attitude of the spacecraft using sun and magnetic field sensors, a simple attitude control system using magnetic torque coils and multi-functional boards containing sensors and electronics.
Future missions may test better control accuracy, additional electrical power, more communications bandwidth and higher computational performance.
