LabOSat as a versatile payload for small satellites: first 100 days in LEO orbit

G. SANCA; M. BARELLA; F. G. MARLASCA; G. RODRÍGUEZ; D. MARTELLITI; L. PATRONE; P. LEVY; F. GOLMAR

C.A.B.A.

Simposio; 1st IAA Latin American Symposium on Small Satellites; 2017

LabOSat (acronym for "Laboratory On a Satellite") is an universal electronicplatform designed to perform experiments in harsh environments, such asouter space [1]. LabOSat-01, the first version of the platform, was designedfor electrically testing custom devices on board of small satellites. TwoLabOSat-01 type boards were launched and placed into Low Earth Orbit(LEO) on May 30, 2016 in satellites developed by the Argentinian companySatellogic [2]. We present here an analysis of data collected by these twoboards during the first 100 days of Mission. These results are compared withdata acquired by LabOSat-01?s predecessor board, MeMOSat-01, launched in2014.LabOSat-01 communication and experiment modules are commanded by anultra-low-power microcontroller of the MSP430 family, frequently used inLEO CubeSat-like missions. The LabOSat-01 board is divided into differentblocks. One of them (?MeMO?) is dedicated to experiments on custom madeReRAM devices, a rad hard technology based on the Resistive Switchingphenomena on metal-oxide-metal capacitor like devices (2-pins devices).The other one (?xFET?) was specifically designed to test any transistordevice, commercial or custom made (3-pins devices). The goal of these twoblocks is to electrically test devices? degradation under hostile conditions.Stimuli applied to DUTs (devices under test) can be either sourcing voltageor current, and they are controlled with high precision using DAC outputs.When sourcing voltage, current limitation is also possible. Measurements aremade using the ADC inputs and each of them is preceded by a buffer and anamplifier in order to gain or attenuate the signal, giving wide rangemeasurements and avoiding out-of-range ADC readings. The MeMO blockallows operation over 28 devices while the xFET block allows over 6, workingas source measure units (SMUs).After the first 100 days in LEO, telemetry data and results from theexperiments running on LabOSat-01 (i.e. on TiO2 and La1-xCaxMnO3 basedReRAM devices, and on custom ZnO based FETs) are analyzed anddiscussed. Although the satellites have been in orbit since last June, firstLabOSat-01 platforms? experiments began in November, after completion ofthe satellites? well-function checking routines. Platform-generated reportsretrieve information about experiments and telemetry, including data suchas temperature, speed, GPS coordinates, attitude and battery voltage.1 M. Barella, G. A. Sanca, F. Gómez Marlasca, G. Rodriguez, D. Martelliti,L. Abanto, P. Levy, F. Golmar,?LabOSat: Low cost measurements platform designed for hazardousenviroments?, Proceedings of the Seventh Argentine Conference onEmbedded Systems, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 10-12 August, 2016, pp.1-6.?Satellogic.? [Online]. Available: http://www.satellogic.com/