Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Söken H. E. (Yürütücü), Muratoğlu A., Tuzcu G.
Asya Pasifik Uzay İşbirliği Örgütü (APSCO) Destekli Proje, 2024 - 2026
METUCube is a 3U CubeSat mission developed by the Small Space Systems Laboratory (S3 Lab) at Middle East Technical University for post-disaster monitoring and early warning system investigation. The satellite addresses critical environmental challenges including wildfires, earthquakes, floods, droughts, and pollution monitoring through a cost-effective four-camera multispectral imaging payload complemented by thermal imaging capabilities. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit at 500 km altitude, METUCube employs a hybrid approach combining custom-developed subsystems with commercial off-the-shelf components to achieve significant cost reduction while maintaining mission performance. The project features an in-house developed Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) utilizing custom sun sensors, magnetorquers, and a star tracker, achieving 54% cost savings compared to commercial alternatives. The communication architecture integrates UHF and S-Band links based on open-source SatNOGS designs, while power management is ensured through 19 triple-junction GaAs solar cells and a custom-designed Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU). With a total mass of 2,736 grams and an estimated mission cost under $180,000 including launch, METUCube demonstrates the feasibility of university-led satellite development. One of the project's primary objectives is strengthening the education system through project contributions, increasing inter-university collaboration, and ensuring that students are trained in the fields of space and satellites. The Engineering Model is targeted for completion by September 2026, with a projected operational lifetime of 4.5 years, positioning METUCube as both a valuable disaster monitoring asset and an educational platform for advancing satellite technology expertise.