I am excited to showcase the MK1 engineering model of the Claymore 6P POD which aims to decoratise the pocketqube launch services by providing PQ teams an alternative launch service. The only things that are missing are the hold down release mechanism (HDRM), hinge pins and a replacement for the top panel since it has…
VibePOD 1P
Back in December 2019 I was excited to showcase the 1p VibePOD which was used to qualify the FOSSA 1P for the Rocketlab “Running out of fingers” mission in Q4 2019. The deployer was tested to NASA GEVS7000 standards. I have decided to make the design open source and I have uploaded the STEP files,…
Generating requirements by visualising the problem
Developing a set of requirements before you dive into CAD is not only good practice but necessary as you can’t determine whether your design will meet your needs if you haven’t defined them. Poor or vague requirements are also useless as they can make things difficult to define if your design is acceptable for solving…
Pocketqubes won’t replace cubesats
Ok the title is a bit click baity and I do like to be controversial at times but in all seriousness I don’t see pocketqubes (PQ) replacing cubesats. I know this sounds a bit crazy from someone who is developing the “Claymore” a 6P pocketqube deployer. But hear me out, this isn’t necessary a bad…
Build or buy?
With the FEA simulations, engineering drawings and tolerance stacks complete I am waiting on the suppliers responding to my RFQ (Request for Quote) for machining the worlds lightest 6P pocketqube deployer. I will be comparing the quotes and then wil be raising an order soon. While I am waiting for their responses I have been…
Stack those tolerances!
Currently I have almost completed the finishing touches to the 2nd iteration of my 6p POD and should have the FEA complete during the week. I have been learning how to carry out tolerance stack analysis and thought it would be good to let the pocketqube teams know about this useful tool. So why should…
Lessons from prototype round 1
So my 3d printed version of my 6p pocketqube deployer (need to give it a creative name) had arrived last week. While I was putting it all together I was making mental notes on how easy it was to put together, how rigid the parts were and areas for improvement. For a first attempt there…
Prototyping suppliers
I thought I would write a short blog that could help various pocketqube teams in developing their own pocketqube satellites. While space projects are generally expensive, and most teams won’t have zany millionaires willing to splash the cash I thought I could give some insights in procuring affordable components for their projects. It’s good to…
Let’s talk about springs
Spring has finally sprung, and I thought it would be good to talk about springs as they are a key component in any mechanical systems for pocketqubes and cubesats. I want to share some of the things I learned when I was developing pico satellite systems and what I have learned with my current pocketqube…
Testing is it a waste of time and money?
TLDR: No because the benefits outweigh the cost of testing required. As someone who is in the early stages on developing my own pocketqube deployer I have already been looking at test facilities for costs of vibration and shock testing. I can tell you the costs are high from some providers. Testing and qualifying products…
