Kakapo

Kakapo is a ground calibrator for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites that I helped improve during my internship at Capella Space. Kakapo transmitted well-characterized radar signals toward the satellite, and the received responses were used to derive and verify the antenna pattern.

The system utilized an Arduino microcontroller to capture comprehensive sensor data, which was then relayed to the computer using I2C.

To maintain precise timing requirements, I built a Stratum 1 Network Time Protocol (NTP) server using a Raspberry Pi for accurate timekeeping. This was crucial for synchronizing measurements with satellite passes and maintaining calibration accuracy.

I developed a Visual Basic program to monitor and log sensor data, including IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) readings and timekeeping information. This software provided real-time monitoring capabilities and comprehensive data logging for analysis.

A significant part of the project involved designing and soldering a custom circuit board to connect all sensors together and route them to the computer. This custom hardware solution ensured reliable connections and optimal signal integrity for the calibration system.