The T-Sat1 Nanosatellite Team of Teams

Designing complex machines and systems that operate in very difficult remote locations, with largely unknown conditions, is very challenging. Specifications for such systems must be extremely detailed and extensive, with input from professionals who have designed such systems before, and who gained considerable experience from their operations. Since much of the operating environment is not not known in advance, cognitive informatics and computing should play a critical role in the design and operation. This paper describes such a system, the T-Sat1 nanosatellite. The satellite is being developed by undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Manitoba, as an extension of the standard classroom experience. Particular attention is given to the formation and maintenance of a team of teams, including the teams focusing on the satellite subsystems, assembly, integration and testing, as well as the teams of advisors from academia, aerospace industry, other industries, business, military, government, and other organizations such as the radio community. The paper describes the satellite characteristics, its mission, subsystems, as well as the development of specifications, protocols for verification, testing, launch and early operating procedures, as ell as concepts for nominal operations.