Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Jacob Blanton, Senior Colson Walker, Sophomore Kylie Nager, Junior Cameron Winkel, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Steven Insignares
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Sean Crouse
Abstract
Over the last 20 years, CubeSats have become a popular and cost-effective way for universities to conduct research in low-earth orbit. The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite (ROSISat) is a 1U CubeSat project studying the effectiveness of various shielding materials against single-event upsets (SEUs) in computer memory modules in Earth orbit. Developed by the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), a student organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, ROSISat provides hands-on experience in CubeSat development. The mission will test various shielding materials—including aluminum, tungsten, Kevlar, polyethylene, and aerogel—against SEUs caused by high-energy solar particles and cosmic rays. EEPROM memory modules will be shielded by these materials in an aluminum grid, while onboard microcontrollers will monitor bitflips to assess shielding performance. Additionally, ROSISat will carry a compact camera with an electromagnetic shutter to evaluate a low-power protection method for delicate payloads. Current development has focused on developing magnetorquers for attitude control, building on prior work optimizing a dumbbell magnetorquer for the X and Y axes. Funding from the 2024-25 IGNITE grant has supported prototyping a Z-axis magnetorquer for full three-axis control. Findings will be published as a manuscript in Embry-Riddle Beyond: Undergraduate Research, and presented at the Student Research Symposium and possibly the Small Satellite Conference. ROSISat aims to enhance student research and industry skills within ERORA and Embry-Riddle while inspiring STEM engagement in the community. The team plans to apply for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative next fall, to secure a launch opportunity to advance future research and industry efforts.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Continuing Development of ROSISat: the Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite
Over the last 20 years, CubeSats have become a popular and cost-effective way for universities to conduct research in low-earth orbit. The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite (ROSISat) is a 1U CubeSat project studying the effectiveness of various shielding materials against single-event upsets (SEUs) in computer memory modules in Earth orbit. Developed by the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), a student organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, ROSISat provides hands-on experience in CubeSat development. The mission will test various shielding materials—including aluminum, tungsten, Kevlar, polyethylene, and aerogel—against SEUs caused by high-energy solar particles and cosmic rays. EEPROM memory modules will be shielded by these materials in an aluminum grid, while onboard microcontrollers will monitor bitflips to assess shielding performance. Additionally, ROSISat will carry a compact camera with an electromagnetic shutter to evaluate a low-power protection method for delicate payloads. Current development has focused on developing magnetorquers for attitude control, building on prior work optimizing a dumbbell magnetorquer for the X and Y axes. Funding from the 2024-25 IGNITE grant has supported prototyping a Z-axis magnetorquer for full three-axis control. Findings will be published as a manuscript in Embry-Riddle Beyond: Undergraduate Research, and presented at the Student Research Symposium and possibly the Small Satellite Conference. ROSISat aims to enhance student research and industry skills within ERORA and Embry-Riddle while inspiring STEM engagement in the community. The team plans to apply for NASA’s CubeSat Launch Initiative next fall, to secure a launch opportunity to advance future research and industry efforts.