2016

Software Defined Radio

The goal of this mission is to demonstrate the capability of software defined radio (SDR) in space communication applications by transmitting between the RockSat-X sounding rocket and the Virginia Tech Ground Station (VTGS) in Blacksburg, VA. The packets transmitted contain gyroscopic, acceleration, pressure, and temperature data collected aboard the payload. This mission is a proof of concept for low-cost and highly flexible transceivers for spacecraft.



Mission Specifications

Spec.ValueUnit
Weight15Pounds
Power14.5Watts
Flight Cost20,350U.S. Dollars
Altitude150kilometers
Transmission Window160Seconds

Link Specifications

Spec.ValueUnit
Modulation TypeBPSK
Center Frequency2395MHz
Frequency Bandwidth187.5kHz
Bit Rate125kbps
Average Power10dBm
Maximum Power12dBm