[amsat-bb] FW: FalconSAT-3 Update

[Jim White]

Amazing how once on the www things live forever.

This exchange was right after launch when we were having trouble getting 
the initial software booted up and running.  Turns out the flash stored 
boot loader and initial housekeeping software had become corrupted just 
before launch.  While we don't know for sure we suspected that happened 
when we were doing last minute battery charging and through operator 
error 'browned out' the processor repeatedly.

SpaceQuest (who built the avionics) was able to provide this snapshot 
using their boot loaded / command software suite. Subsequent to this 
they were able to provide a modified set of firmware we uploaded and as 
you can see from the dates FS3 has been operated for over 10 years.  
Check the current uptime telemetry line. The first number is the days it 
has been operating without interruption.

Jim


On 10/13/2017 7:32 AM, Robert Bruninga wrote:
> Searching for a Falconsat email a few days ago, my email found this one
> from TEN YEARS ago!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard M. Hambly [W2GPS]   Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 9:31 AM
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Billy Smith [Naval Academy]    Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 9:24 AM
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Latimer, Ellis H [Boeing.com]  Sent: Friday, March 30, 2007 8:36 AM
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lawrence Timothy J Lt Col [AirForce Academy] Thursday, March 29,
> 2007 9:14 PM
> Subject: FalconSAT-3 Update
>
> All-
>
> SpaceQuest was able to send us the "raw count" telemetry from their
> software and we were able to translate it into the following:
>
> Battery Voltage = 10.1 V (expected 8.0-10.6V)
> UHF Transmitter Power = 7.584W draw, 1 W output (expected values)
> Total power being produced from the 4 solar panels = 12.7 W
> Power Distribution Board Power = 3.36V (needed to enable payloads, 3.3V
> required)
> Core Temperature: 6.9 C
> ADCS: +Y direction was facing the sun as they took this data
>
> We were able to check 54 data channels, and all indications are that the
> satellite is in a healthy state.
>
> We are still talking to SpaceQuest to sort out why our software was "hung
> up" at initialization, have developed some new theories and will do
> extensive testing on our Qual Model tomorrow here at USAFA.
>
> Thanks for all of the positive emails, I emailed the cadets today (they
> are on Spring Break) and told them to rest up since they will be put to
> work when they return as we start commissioning :)
>
> V/R,
> Tim
>
> Timothy J. Lawrence, Lt Col, USAF, PhD
> Director, ...Department of Astronautics
> United States Air Force Academy USAFA, Colorado 80840
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