CAERUS

E-mail for Telemetry data: caerus@astronautics.usc.edu

CAERUS is USC's 1st nano-satellite subsystem delivered in May 2010, and was named after the greek word for "opportunity". It was developed from authorization to proceed (ATP) to delivery in 14 weeks. CAERUS is part of the "MAYFLOWER" Next Generation Technology Nanosatellite that is a joint effort with Northrop Grumman NOVAWORKS group.

Key Characteristics:

• "1U" form factor structural integration of two complete RF subsystems, with 2 separate micro-processors (PIC24's)
• Fully qualified in Thermal Vacuum and 3-Axis Vibration
• New Antenna Module validated in the UltraLab RF Chamber on USC Campus
• Burn in with over 100 hours for Flight Software and Telemetry Systems
• Integration of 3 new Technologies (new Quad monopole deployable antenna, an RF splitter, and burn wire mechanism)
• Built and integrated by professionals and students at SERC

General Information: CAERUS was USC's 1st satellite subsystem put into space. It is a "1U Cubesat" that fits with a 2U Cubesat to make up a complete 3U when launched.

Launch and Initial Orbit Information: Caerus Successfully launhced on the SpaceX Falcon 9 at 10:43 EST  from Cape Canaveral FL.  The TLE is below:

Original TLE:

F9_cubesat
1 99999U 99999    10342.68664352  .00000000  00000-0  00000-0 0    14
2 99999  34.5382 180.5256 0019992 245.8787 334.0535 15.92118320    16

Updated TLE:

The updated TLE can be found on SpaceTrack as "Object G".

Communication Systems Information: CAERUS uses amateur satellite band. The following information is required to recieve information from the CAERUS satellite:

• CALL SIGN: KJ6FIX
• Beacon Downlink Frequency: 437.600 MHZ, 25kHz bandwidth
• Beacon Output Power: 900mW
• Antenna: Quad Monopole
• Modulation Type: AFSK
• Modulation Frequency: 1200bps
• Caerus will beacon every 10 seconds.  Due to operational reasons, the beacon will not be on at all times

Data Analysis Information: Go to following link for the telemetry protocol for both analyzing the information packets, and for a small JAVA script that will automatically decode it for you. CAERUS Telemetry Data & QSL Card

Please send any/all information packets recieved (raw only) to the following e-mail address with the word "Pass" in the title of the e-mail: caerus@astronautics.usc.edu

Example:

USC CAERUS Received Frequencies Report

• Station Name: USC
• Station City, State, Country: Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A.
• Latitude: 34.0194º
• Longitude: -118.287º
• Elevation: 100 meters
• Frequency Measurement Equipment Brand Name and Model #: TBD
• Equipment measurement-noise (if known): TBD