Projects

15-18yrs Project 1: 3D Printing Lunar Bricks

Industry Partner: SpaceCopy

Problem Statement:

How can we create strong, sustainable construction bricks on the lunar surface using available materials and 3D printing techniques?

Objective:

To simulate lunar regolith and experiment with 3D printing bricks, evaluating their strength, structure, and feasibility for lunar infrastructure.

Research Topics:

• Properties of lunar regolith
• Binder jetting and sintering in additive manufacturing
• Thermal and mechanical stress in lunar environments

Methodology:

• Simulate regolith using sand and plaster
• Design brick structures using CAD
• 3D print sample models
• Test and analyze mechanical strength

Phase-wise Plan (20 hrs):

1. Day 1-2: Introduction, research on lunar regolith and 3D printing techniques (4 hrs)
2. Day 3-4: CAD modeling of bricks (4 hrs)
3. Day 5-6: Simulated regolith preparation + 3D printing (4 hrs)
4. Day 7-8: Strength testing, iterative redesign (4 hrs)
5. Day 9: Report documentation (2 hrs)
6. Day 10: Final presentation and evaluation (2 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Functional prototype of lunar brick
• Poster explaining material selection and process

IEEE Report Format:

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References

15-18yrs Project 2: Design a Lunar Construction Bot

Industry Partner: SpaceCopy

Problem Statement:

What kind of robot can autonomously assist 3D printing processes for lunar surface construction under extreme conditions?

Objective:

To build and test a robotic system that can mimic lunar additive manufacturing support operations.

Research Topics:

• Robotics and automation in construction
• Lunar terrain navigation
• Robotic arms and degrees of freedom

Methodology:

• Study robotic systems used in extraterrestrial environments
• Assemble a basic robotic arm
• Code path movement to simulate layering

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Research & Concept Design (4 hrs)
2. Robotic Kit Familiarization & Assembly (4 hrs)
3. Movement Programming (4 hrs)
4. Simulation & Task Testing (4 hrs)
5. Documentation + Presentation (4 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Robotic simulation of construction tasks
• IEEE poster & video demo

IEEE Report Format: (Same as above)

15-18yrs Project 3: Build Your Own CubeSat Mission

Industry Partner: Transcend Satellite Technologies

Problem Statement:

How can a CubeSat be used for Earth observation or educational satellite missions?

Objective:

To conceptualize, design and simulate a CubeSat system with specific mission goals.

Research Topics:

• CubeSat architecture
• Orbital mechanics
• Satellite payload systems

Methodology:

• Create a mission objective (e.g., disaster monitoring)
• Design CubeSat layout in TinkerCAD/Fusion360
• Simulate orbit with STK or web tools

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Introduction & Mission Planning (4 hrs)
2. Payload & Systems Design (4 hrs)
3. CAD Modeling (4 hrs)
4. Orbit Simulation (4 hrs)
5. Documentation & Presentation (4 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Mission dossier
• CAD render of CubeSat
• Launch readiness checklist

IEEE Report Format: (Same as above)

15-18yrs Project 4: Satellite Data Decoder

Industry Partner: Transcend Satellite Technologies

Problem Statement:

How do we interpret telemetry and data sent from small satellites to ground stations?

Objective:

To decode and visualize real satellite data using simple SDR setups.

Research Topics:

• Basics of radio frequencies
• Telemetry protocols
• SDR (Software Defined Radio)

Methodology:

• Install virtual SDR tool
• Capture sample signals
• Map signal to data (altitude, battery, GPS)

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Research on Communication Systems (4 hrs)
2. SDR Simulation Training (4 hrs)
3. Data Capture & Decoding (6 hrs)
4. Visualization & Analysis (4 hrs)
5. Reporting (2 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Decoded signal charts
• IEEE report on communication pipeline

IEEE Report Format: (Same as above)

15-18yrs Project 5: Dock & Deploy: Space Station Simulator

Industry Partner: Arkisys – Orbital Platforms

Problem Statement:

What modular docking designs could be used for satellite deployment in orbit?

Objective:

To create an interlocking system for simulating modular satellites or payloads.

Research Topics:

• Modular spacecraft design
• Docking interfaces
• Microgravity dynamics

Methodology:

• Design docking nodes with LEGO or magnetic components
• Simulate detachment in orbit
• Build docking prototypes

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Docking Systems Research (4 hrs)
2. CAD/Physical Prototyping (4 hrs)
3. Build + Assemble Components (4 hrs)
4. Deployment Simulation (4 hrs)
5. Report + Presentation (4 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Modular model demonstration
• Docking interface documentation

IEEE Report Format: (Same as above)

15-18yrs Project 6: Build a Low-Cost Ground Station

Industry Partner: Transcend Satellite Technologies

Problem Statement:

Can a functional ground station be built affordably to receive satellite signals?

Objective:

To create a simple ground station using SDR and DIY antenna setup.

Research Topics:

• Ground station architecture
• Signal strength and noise
• Yagi antenna design

Methodology:

• Build paper model or 3D printed antenna
• Simulate tracking using software
• Map received signal outputs

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Antenna Design Research (4 hrs)
2. Hardware Build (4 hrs)
3. Signal Simulation & Software Training (4 hrs)
4. Demo + Report Writing (4 hrs)
5. Final Evaluation (4 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• DIY Ground Station model
• Signal analysis charts

IEEE Report Format: (Same as above)

15-18yrs Project 7: Tethered Spacecraft System for Active Space Debris Removal

Guided by: Mr. Vitali Braun, Space Debris Engineer, European Space Agency (ESA)

Context: The growing presence of decommissioned satellites and spent rocket bodies in Earth's orbit poses a significant risk to sustainable space operations. To address this critical issue, this student-led project, in collaboration with ESA, focuses on developing an innovative tethered spacecraft system for active debris removal. The project will culminate in a functional prototype designed to capture and stabilize large, uncooperative, and potentially tumbling space debris.

Project Objective

To design, prototype, and test a tethered spacecraft system capable of:

• Capturing and stabilizing large, uncooperative space debris.
• Reducing the angular velocity of tumbling debris using viscoelastic tether dynamics.
• Guiding debris to a disposal orbit through active thrust control.

The project will also investigate the viscoelastic properties of various tether materials to optimize attitude damping.

System Concept

The proposed system features a chaser spacecraft connected to a piece of rotating debris via a main tether with four sub-tethers attached to different points on the debris. By integrating:

• Active thrust control on the chaser spacecraft, and
• Viscoelastic dynamics of the tether system,

the system aims to dampen the debris’ rotation and facilitate its safe transfer to a disposal orbit.

UG Project 1: Orbital Payload Deployment System

Industry Partner: Arkisys

Problem Statement:

How can orbital platforms safely deploy payloads in LEO with precision and timing?

Objective:

To build a mechanical deployment system simulating satellite ejection.

Research Topics:

• Orbital dynamics
• Deployment spring mechanisms
• Safety protocols in space

Methodology:

• Study orbital deployment mechanisms
• Design and prototype a spring-loaded model
• Simulate using Arduino or physical switch

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Mechanism Research (4 hrs)
2. CAD Design + Calculation (4 hrs)
3. Build Mechanism (6 hrs)
4. Testing & Optimization (4 hrs)
5. IEEE Reporting (2 hrs)

Outcome:

• Functional deployment setup
• Launch simulation report

UG Project 2: Lunar-Optimized Additive Manufacturing Arm

Industry Partner: SpaceCopy

Problem Statement:

Can a robotic arm be designed to perform 3D printing under reduced gravity conditions?

Objective:

To develop a torque-controlled robotic arm system with lunar operational constraints.

Research Topics:

• Torque optimization
• Robotic arm mechanics
• Material behavior in low gravity

Methodology:

• Design 4-DOF robotic arm
• Use spring systems to simulate lunar gravity
• Test accuracy & path control

Phase-wise Plan:

1. Background Research & Arm Kinematics (4 hrs)
2. CAD & Servo Calibration (4 hrs)
3. Mechanical Assembly (4 hrs)
4. Testing + Simulated Gravity Conditions (6 hrs)
5. Report + Presentation (2 hrs)

Expected Outcome:

• Demo robotic arm
• Simulation paper on reduced gravity performance

Templates Provided

1. IEEE Research Paper Template
2. Progress Tracker Sheets
3. Rubric-Based Evaluation Forms
4. Design Logbook Templates

NOTE: All students must submit:

• Project Prototype/Model
• Final IEEE Report (max 6 pages)
• Presentation Deck (5–7 slides)

Certification Criteria:

• Minimum 85% attendance
• Submission of documentation
• Team collaboration and peer feedback