OrbiCraft 3D (along with Terra Orbital Simulator Set) is the semi-realistic simulation kit designed for schoolchildren and undergraduates’ training on spacecraft design basics.

OrbiCraft 3D Educational Kit characteristic feature is its ability to put emphasis on system design of a spacecraft in general with quick achievement of the goal: the functioning model.

The external view for the assembled spacecraft model and orbital simulator set:

OrbiCraft 3D Educational Kit includes:

• On-board flight computer (OBC) based on Raspberry Pi;
• Electrical Power System (EPS), including Battery and Command Unit;
• Orientation and Stabilization System, including solar sensors, magnetometer, angular velocity sensor (AVS) and flywheel (FW);
• VHF radio transmission system;
• Pay Load (arduino shield and camera).

The external view for Educational Kit in packing case:

The external view of OrbiCraft 3D component parts.

1. Electrical Power System (EPS);
2. Flat Cable Tester;
3. On-board flight computer (OBC);
4. crimper for crimping the connectors to flat cable;
5. screwdriver;
6. cutting pliers;
7. flywheel(FW);
8. sensors and transmitters;
9. casing;
10. battery charger (adapter);
11. flat cable;
12. connectors;
13. angle bars.

Flat Cables are the key component of onboard cable network that serves for information exchange between subsystems ad host computer, also for powering of the subsystems.

All satellite subsystems are equipped with two redundant connectors to connect to onboard network. Consequently the apparatus connected to the onboard network not only available for information exchange but allows the chain-connection of subsequent subsystems via itself.

Information network built via bus architecture with RS-485 serial interfaces. To facilitate fitting, power lines and information bus are combined in one flat cable.

Subsustems’ connection is performed via DB-9F (“female”) connector from bundle side and via DB-9M (“male”) from apparatus side.

Since there’s possible a different composition of Educational Kit elements, the length of every flat cable shall be determined by the user (25-30 cm average).

To assemble the main bus, please take the nine-channel fat cable and DB-9F connectors:

Via cutting pliers, cut the pieces of flat cable of required length.

To assemble the connector, make sure that every pin of the connector falls neatly to the one wire of the flat cable.

Then, put the assembled (but not yet crimped) flat cable into the crimper as shown on Figure. Before crimping, adjust the flat cable in connector if the cable has been accidentally displaced.

Please note: the connectors at the flat cable must be placed in identically oriented direction. If the connectors are oriented differently, there will be short-circuit failure.

Incorrect placement of the connectors on the flat cable.

It is necessary to observe that there’s no displacement of the flat cable as relative to pins in the connector as shown on Figure.

Correct assembling of the flat cable

Incorrect assembling of the flat cable

There is a special tool for checking of the assembled flat cables, Flat Cable Tester. Before starting, the Flat Cable Tester must be connected to 220V power network via adapter.

To check the Flat Cable, it must be connected to two Tester’s connectors. Upon the color of the LED you may define the operability of the flat cable.

If the LED is yellow (“Circuit broken”), the circuit is broken. Most probably you have not crimped the flat cable properly.

If the LED is red (“Short-circuit failure”), it means either that you broke the isolation of two adjacent channels during crimping, or you incorrectly placed the connectors in relation to each other.

Cable network may be assembled either as serial connection of all network’s apparatuses via “point-to-point” flat cables, or as branching creation via flat cables equipped with more than two connectors.

Prepare the elements required for installation of reaction wheel: Educational Kit’s base, Flywheel module, screws’ set. Connect the engine to satellite’s lower board (base). Attach the engine to base with the screws.

Take four side boards: satellite’s walls, PS module and HOC, also attaching screws’ set. Attach PS module to side board from inner side.

Attach plastic angle bars to the side board with screws. Put the side board into grooves of the base board and attach with screws and plastic angle bars.

Install the PS’ outer command unit from outside. Install HOC on other board and attach other boards to the base similar to first board. Connect the devises via flat cables.

Put the top cover of the case and attach it with plastic angle bars to the side boards. Fasten all screws in the angle bars. Attach with screws all required subsystems and connect them via flat cables to HOC and PS.

The assembling is finished!

Run the test program from previous lesson and check the kit’s functionality