REMOTE STATION GW-SAT
Product Design
Design of the housing of the remote communication station for the the satellite GW SAT, second space mission of the Space Systems Laboratory SETEC LAB of the Costa Rican Institute of Technology (TEC) in collaboration with the George Washington University (GWU).
Tools:
Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Photoshop, Illustrator, Revit.
CHALLENGE
In this project SETEC LAB provided the navigation control system and the communication system. When the satellite is in space, it will monitor the environmental conditions of Costa Rican wetlands and the effects they are suffering from climate change, in this case for Palo Verde, in Guanacaste. To collect the sensor data and send it to the satellite, a remote station is used. Therefore, with this station all its functions can be achieved, requiring the design of a housing that incorporates the cabinet which contains the components to help protect it from external factors such as sunlight, rain and help unify external components.
USER & NEEDS
In the early stages of the project, the users are the professionals in charge of the laboratory monitoring tasks. The users need shade for the protection of the components, which helps to dissipate heat and the incorporation of solar panels. And when ready, the users will be the maintenance managers, whom are usually employed by the park.
DESIGN PROCESS
DEFINE
Problem
Background
Objectives
USER & CONTEXT
Use analysis
Needs
Requirements
RESEARCH
Product functioning
Parameters
Meteorological study
DESIGN
Semantic phrase
Design proposals
3D design
VALIDATION
Tests
Blueprints
Manufacture
INVESTIGATION & ANALYSIS
To analyze possible solutions on how to cover the ventilation problem in the casing, different ventilation cooling methods are studied, such as passive cooling, venturi effect and cross ventilation. To better understand the impact of the exposure of the housing to solar rays and high temperatures, terms such as irradance, angle of incidence, solar radiation and solar chart are analyzed.
And for the design of the casing,the bioclimatic architecture was considered.
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SOLUTION
The chosen design is based on the principle of curves to create less pressure in the air around the casing helping it to cool down. It has gills or holes so that there is an internal flow. It focuses on the design of a long roof to protect from the rain and create greater shade, preventing the sun's rays from striking the cabinet. It is based on a visual language with a minimalist abstraction in color and shapes to match the visual language of the environment and nature.
