IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination
 
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MOCI Updated: 10 Mar 2021   Responsible Operator Claire Venenga KN4PMV
Supporting Organisation University of Georgia  
Contact Person cvenenga@uga.edu.nospam  
Headline Details: MOCI (Multi-view Onboard Computational Imager) is a 6U satellite designed to create 3D models of structures using SfM calculations. The satellite is built and operated by undergraduate students at the University of Georgia (UGA) who are directly involved in K-12 outreach within the community and work with the Athens Radio Club which is why the satellite will also serve as a store-and-forward satellite for amateur radio enthusiasts. The stack contains The Ruda Cardinal Optical Train with Imperx and Blackfly. The rest of the stack consists of Clyde Space (OBC, EPS), ISISpace (UHF antennas), COTS (GPU), F’Sati (Sband Transmitter, and UHF Transceiver), and custom parts (three interface boards). The solar panels are constructed in-house with solar cells from CESI. The MOCI mission will acquire imagery of the Earth’s surface from(Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and perform near real time Structure from Motion (SfM) at a landscape scale using custom algorithms and off the shelf, high performance computational units. The MOCI mission will also identify and map or image surface objects, including but not limited to coastal environment phenomena, while training students in STEM-related fields. Efficient data compression, feature detection, feature matching, and SfM processing techniques of space-based imagery will be performed on board the spacecraft as a proof-of-concept of high performance, on board processing capabilities. 3D models produced by the MOCI satellite will take the form of Digital Surface Models (DSM) as their end product for quick data downlink. The secondary goals of the project will be to lay the foundations for a self-sustaining Small Satellite Research Laboratory (SSRL) at UGA involving numerous students at the University and creating a free repository of imagery. In addition, the SSRL will engage with the public through guest lectures and the development of outreach programs such as workshops, instructional YouTube videos, educational podcasts, and performing guest lectures at local schools and events.For the current mission MOCI shall: 1. Run on-board Structure from Motion (SfM) of target areas and transmit the processed data using customized compression techniques; 2. Identify algal blooms and sediment plumes in order to track their growth, size, and location; 3. Map the coastal regions of the Eastern United States for marsh phenology, land use, and off coast water quality; 4. Train students in STEM related fields by having them investigate optimal data transmission techniques, georeference imagery for mapping, conduct photogrammetric processing of images acquired from the satellite, develop community outreach programs, and learn general aerospace manufacturing/testing/designing skills. 5. Host a UHF repeater on board to benefit the greater amature radio community. The UGA SSRL is a student-run research lab, with oversight from a faculty support group. Apart from requirements, which are formulated in collaboration with faculty, the undergraduate team conducts all design decisions, reviews, and also, in the case of the author of this document, handles the licensing process. Members are taught the full engineering process, from requirements development to the delivery of a final design and launch-ready satellite. Once the satellite is in orbit, the UGA SSRL Mission Operations team members, all undergraduates and all amateur radio operators, will command and control the satellite. A full, current list of operators can be found within this document. Currently, the mission plan dictates that only telecommands shall be encrypted. All science data and beacon telemetry will be unencrypted. This is in order to contribute something of experiential or educational value to our local amateur (ham) radio community. The science data collected by the mission operators will undergo processing, and then be stored for use by anyone who requests access. The UGA Geography Department will analyze it and use it in the classroom and for local outreach events. In addition to the space-oriented portion of the mission, the UGA undergraduate team has also built the Center for Orbital Satellite Mission Operations (COSMO), to communicate with space stations. This endeavor was funded by the Center for Teaching and Learning at UGA and the Parents and Families Outreach Program at UGA, with the intention to provide licensed students access to high quality radio equipment. These students will be rigorously trained to operate spacecraft. In addition to the student contribution to COSMO, we have also received a significant amount of help from the Athens Radio Club (ARC). Once fully operational, the SSRL will collaborate with the ARC to plan outreach events to demonstrate COSMO’s abilities, and to inspire future radio enthusiasts. In summary, this project is an educational and scientific mission to allow students hands-on experience with the breadth of satellite development. This includes the training of students to 1) design and build spacecraft, 2) operate spacecraft, and 3) to interact with the local community as they fulfil the mission success criteria. To the community at large, we will offer a platform to listen to spacecraft, process specialized imaging products, hold outreach events, and use the satellite as a repeater. The telecommand and telemetry beacon will operate on the UHF band, while science data will downlink on the S band. Specifically, the frequencies are as follows: 437.35 MHz (UHF) 2.4105 GHz (S-band) Proposing a UHF downlink using 9600 baud, GMSK, AX.25 and on S-band: 2 Mbaud using QPSK & IESS-308. Planning a deployment from the ISS. More info at www.smallsat.uga.edu/ **Downlinks on 437.350 MHz and 2410.500 MHz have been coordinated**
Application Date: 21 Jul 2020   Freq coordination completed on 10 Mar 2021

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