2021

Deployable Phased Antenna Array

The 2021 payload will focus on the development and implementation of a direction finding system that will receive and record ADS-B signals using a 4 element dipole array deployed from the payload deck out the side of the rocket body. The signals received from the antenna array will be fed into two Ettus E310 Software defined radios for processing, storage, and selective downlinking. A suite of sensors monitoring payload temperature, acceleration, rotation rate and other variables, as well as an on-board camera, will allow the team to monitor flight variables and payload functionality. Deployment of the antenna array will be accomplished through the implementation of a telescopic linear actuator driven by a motorized tape spring steel deployer.


More pictures and data coming soon