Initial Questions
Version 1 (J. Simmons, 10/07/2013 09:23 pm) → Version 2/12 (J. Simmons, 10/07/2013 11:28 pm)
h1. Ground Sphere Initial Questions v. 0.1
{{toc}}
h3. Q1. Why are we making this?
*A1*. _The *Ground Sphere CubeSat Ground Station* is being built specifically to receive ""tweets from space" which will be broadcast by the "SkyCube":http://www.southernstars.com/skycube/ CubeSat. A side effect of having such a low cost and easy to use ground station is the educational opportunities in areas including satellite orbits, radio technology, telecommunications, and programming._ _..._
h3. Q2. Who is this for?
*A2.* _The *Ground Sphere CubeSat Ground Station* is for "SkyCube backers":http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/880837561/skycube-the-first-satellite-launched-by-you/backers, students, teachers, scouting troupes, space enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to directly experience satellite communications and participate in the SkyCube mission._ _..._
h3. Q3. How will this be used?
*A3*. _Ground station operators will use the ground station and its accompanying software to:_ _...._
# _Predict when the SkyCube (and other satellites) will be flyover the ground station site_
# _Use the Software Defined Radio (SDR) to receive the radio transmissions from SkyCube (and other satellites operating on the nearby frequencie)_
# _Decode the data packets from the SkyCube to read the "tweets" from space_
h3. Q4. What features does it need to have (now)?
*A4.* The test stand needs to:
* _Predict when the SkyCube satellite will flyover the ground station and be within signal reception range_
* _Receive radio signals on 915 MHz_
* _Decode BPSK-modulated, unencrypted AX.25 data packets sent at 9600 baud_
* _Be easy to assemble from kit components and only require simple tools (screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, etc) for assembly_
* _Have low shipping costs for the packaged kit_ _...._
h3. Q5. What features does it need to have (later)?
_These features will not necessarily make it into any version of the project, but should be kept in mind for any of its larger sibling test stands later on._
* _Predict when other satellites will fly over the ground station and be within signal reception range_
* _Decode other data formats commonly used by CubeSats_
* _Share radio signal with other users over Internet connections, so users can listen to satellite signals remotely_ _..._
h3. Q6. What are the legacy requirements?
*A6.* _N/A_ _..._
h3. Q7. Who's going to build this?
*A7.* _..._
h3. Q8. How many do we want to make?
*A8.* _..._
h3. Q9. What is the budget?
*A9.* _..._
h3. Q10. What is the timeline?
*A10.* _..._
h3. Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
*A11.* _..._
{{toc}}
h3. Q1. Why are we making this?
*A1*. _The *Ground Sphere CubeSat Ground Station* is being built specifically to receive ""tweets from space" which will be broadcast by the "SkyCube":http://www.southernstars.com/skycube/ CubeSat. A side effect of having such a low cost and easy to use ground station is the educational opportunities in areas including satellite orbits, radio technology, telecommunications, and programming._ _..._
h3. Q2. Who is this for?
*A2.* _The *Ground Sphere CubeSat Ground Station* is for "SkyCube backers":http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/880837561/skycube-the-first-satellite-launched-by-you/backers, students, teachers, scouting troupes, space enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to directly experience satellite communications and participate in the SkyCube mission._ _..._
h3. Q3. How will this be used?
*A3*. _Ground station operators will use the ground station and its accompanying software to:_ _...._
# _Predict when the SkyCube (and other satellites) will be flyover the ground station site_
# _Use the Software Defined Radio (SDR) to receive the radio transmissions from SkyCube (and other satellites operating on the nearby frequencie)_
# _Decode the data packets from the SkyCube to read the "tweets" from space_
h3. Q4. What features does it need to have (now)?
*A4.* The test stand needs to:
* _Predict when the SkyCube satellite will flyover the ground station and be within signal reception range_
* _Receive radio signals on 915 MHz_
* _Decode BPSK-modulated, unencrypted AX.25 data packets sent at 9600 baud_
* _Be easy to assemble from kit components and only require simple tools (screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, etc) for assembly_
* _Have low shipping costs for the packaged kit_ _...._
h3. Q5. What features does it need to have (later)?
_These features will not necessarily make it into any version of the project, but should be kept in mind for any of its larger sibling test stands later on._
* _Predict when other satellites will fly over the ground station and be within signal reception range_
* _Decode other data formats commonly used by CubeSats_
* _Share radio signal with other users over Internet connections, so users can listen to satellite signals remotely_ _..._
h3. Q6. What are the legacy requirements?
*A6.* _N/A_ _..._
h3. Q7. Who's going to build this?
*A7.* _..._
h3. Q8. How many do we want to make?
*A8.* _..._
h3. Q9. What is the budget?
*A9.* _..._
h3. Q10. What is the timeline?
*A10.* _..._
h3. Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
*A11.* _..._