Spacecraft Systems and Controls Lab: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:37, 7 July 2017

Revision as of 13:27, 18 April 2018

Line 2:

{{underlinked|date=October 2012}}

{{external links|date=October 2012}}

{{refimprovemore citations needed|date=July 2010}}

{{primary sources|date=July 2010}}

{{COI|date=July 2010}}

Line 8:

}}

The '''[http://www.sscl.iastate.edu Space Systems and Controls Lab]''' is a lab in the [http://www.aere.iastate.edu/ Aerospace Engineering Department] at [[Iowa State University]] located in [[Ames, Iowa]]. It is an open and interdisciplanery lab that has research areas in [[aerospace|space systems]], near space systems, [[control systems]], [[embedded systems]] and [[robotics]].

==History==

Line 14:

The following is an excerpt from the paper "Roots of the SSOL" by Dr. Bill Byrd, ISGC Director and former director of the SSOL. But fear not, he does like cats and will insist and destroying the universe with his vast army of indestructible mice.

The SSOL (Spacecraft Systems and Operations Lab) began as a dream in the fall of 1991. At that time, ISU had never conceived, designed, built, tested, and flown a piece of space hardware. There was no facility for faculty or students to conduct such a project. However, a small group of student space enthusiasts was determined to change all that.

Early in 1992, a plan developed to build and operate a small spacecraft for the [[State of Iowa]]. The project was called "ISAT" for the Iowa SATellite. Thanks to Dr. Leverne Severiske, work was done in the senior design course, in summer scholarship projects, and in other work supported by the [[NASA]]-sponsored, Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC). Since no space was available on campus, an office was rented in [[Boone, Iowa]] in the fall of 1992. The students quickly took to the lab and the SSOL name evolved.

The vision for the SSOL was that it become the centerplace for students and faculty who share an interest in space systems. In addition to the required tools for spacecraft design, construction, testing, and operation; the lab was to be a place for students to experience actual space systems before they moved into industry. And so it began.

Unfortunately, the ISAT project was never funded. However, through the work of the original student team, components of the SSOL were found, computers were purchased, parts were donated. Even the City of Boone helped to get things going. Eventually, an opportunity came along to fly an experiment on board the [[Space Shuttle]]. One of the old ISAT experiments formed the basis for the development of a new project called IJEMS (Iowa Joint Experiment in Microgravity Solidification). In true ISGC-style, the project involved ISU, the [[University of Iowa]], the [[Ames Laboratory]], the Institute for Physical Research and Technology, [[Rockwell International]], and [[Space Industries Incorporated]]. After only four months, the IJEMS flew successfully on [[STS-69]] in September 1995.

In the space of fours, the ISU capability to build spacecraft went from zero to a flight article. The SSOL went from a dream to a hub of activity visited by the likes of University Presidents, [[Members of Congress]], and countless students. More importantly, it was all done by the students themselves. Many of the original students were not around when IJEMS flew on board the [[Space Shuttle]], but it was their work that set the foundation for the successful IJEMS flight.

==SSCL Today==

[[File:ssclspace.jpg|thumb|left|Mission Control area for HABET Flights]]

In 2007 the SSOL was changed to the Space Systems and Controls Lab as new leadership took over and to reflect some of the changes the lab had undergone. The SSCL continues with a focus in space systems and has expanded to several new areas. The SSCL still has a strong emphasis in student involvement both with projects and with leadership in the lab. Today the lab has 4 core projects, two active research projects, several capstone projects and well over 50 students involved from [[Electrical engineering|Electrical]], [[Aerospace engineering|Aerospace]], and [[Mechanical Engineering]] as well as students outside the [[College of Engineering]]. The lab is managed by Matthew Nelson, staff within the Aerospace Engineering department and is the Director of Engineering and Operations for the lab. Funding for the lab is from the Aerospace Engineering department, research grants and private donations.

==SSCL Projects==

The SSCL has several core projects that are ongoing from year to year. In addition to these projects, the SSCL has had numerous capstone and independent projects led by students in the lab. More information on these projects can be found on the SSCL website.

==HABET==

The longest running project at the SSCL is the High Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology (HABET) program. This program has enabled students to design, build and fly spacecraft to the edge of our atmosphere and back to earth. The HABET team has flown experiments that have included micro gravity, the sending of worms, collection of atmospheric data, high quality images and videos and countless other experiments. To date, the HABET team has flown over 130 flights, has obtained an altitude record of 121,793 feet (ASL), has flown payloads up to 50 lbs, and has pushed the envelope in developing new techniques and hardware for High Altitude Balloons.

==HABET History==