Mechanical Aspects of Design, Analysis, and Testing for the NORSAT-1 Microsatellite

NORSAT-1 is a multi-payload microsatellite mission funded by the Norwegian Space Center, with three overall objectives: investigating solar radiation, space plasma research, and developing improved methods for detection and management of ship traffic. The successful development of the NORSAT-1 platform aims to lay the groundwork for additional low-cost microsatellites in the NORSAT series, and expand the Norwegian presence in space and space-based ship tracking technologies. This thesis provides some insight into the NORSAT-1 satellite platform design, and focuses heavily on the mechanical aspects of design, analysis, and testing. The structural design is detailed from the early conceptual design phases, and follows the development to the manufacturing, integration, and testing of the flight spacecraft. Validation of the design through finite element modeling is presented, along with the development and design of two honeycomb composite solar panels, and two deployable whip antennas.M.A.S