This person has placed a number of interesting tools and reports on the web. He states:
This is the web site for Rocket Science and Technology, operated by Charles Hoult. RST provides free analysis tools for the serious amateur rocket designer and university rocket engineering student.
In July and October of 2012 a study program, with 30 participants from 14 institutions throughout academia, government, and industry, was held on the unique role small satellites can play to revolutionize scientific observations in space science from LEO to deep space. The first workshop identified novel mission concepts where stand-alone, constellation, and fractionated small satellite systems can enable new targeted space science discoveries in heliophysics, astrophysics, and planetary science including NEOs and small bodies.
SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) released the annual update to its nanosatellite and microsatellite market assessment. The study presents the latest observations, trends, and projections for the nano/microsatellite market. Projections indicate more than 400 nano/microsatellites will need launches annually in the year 2020 and beyond.
Space Systems Engineering, a new massive open online course or MOOC from NASA and the Saylor Foundation, launches on Monday, March 3, 2014. The six-week, general-audience course is available to the public at no cost and provides a unique opportunity to learn from and alongside NASA's engineers. Students who participate can earn a free certificate.
A startup based in Glasgow, Scotland, PocketQube shop wants to get more people building and launching their own satellites. We want to provide a hub for the fledgling class of PocketQube satellites by offering a one stop shop with the largest selection of parts available anywhere. PocketQubes are 5cm cubed spacecraft, proposed by Prof Bob Twiggs of Morehead State University (formerly Stanford). The first 4 PocketQubes made orbit on the 21st of November 2013.
PocketQube Standard
The 1U CubeSat was originally conceived as a cube, 100mm on each side with a mass of 1000g.
The 1Q PocketQub is one eighth of a CubeSat - a cube 50mm / 2 inches on each side with a mass of 125g.
Within the limitations of the format, it is recommended that PocketQubs are designed to meet as many of the CubeSat Design Specifications as is practical.
I've been involved in writing a book about small launch vehicles over the last year with Charles Pooley. It is now available at Amazon.com.
The book is described there as:
A vision for a new space age based on small launch vehicles. An introduction to microlaunchers and microlaunchers technology with a general overview of rocket design and engineering but at a popular and student level. Written for those who have a basic understanding of high school algebra and physics.
In writing this, I've tried to make it as educational as possible. For those wanting to learn more about small launch vehicles, this is one of a very small list of books that focus on this subject. There are very few sources that cover these issues together at the price and the readability that I hope this book has.
This week, NASA released the results of its Lunar Laser Communication Demonstration’s (LLCD) 30-day test carried out by its Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) that is currently in orbit around the Moon. According to the space agency, the LLCD mission proved that laser communications are practical at a distance of a quarter of a million miles and that such a system could perform as well, if not better, than any NASA radio system.
