Nanorack Compatible Standardized Data Processing, Communication, and Control Module

This Phase I study will design and develop a NanoRacks Control Module (NCM) that provides communications, control functions and data processing in a NanoRacks compatible CubeLab form factor. This standard module is intended to dramatically reduce the development time and cost for an experiment to be flown in a Nanoracks module. Certain aspects of a NanoRacks compatible experiment stay the same regardless of the type of experiment. The proposed NanoRacks Control Module provides communications compatible with the NanoRacks module. This includes methods for preparing data generated in the NanoRacks CubeLab module for download, as well as communications and commands to the NanoRacks CubeLab module. The NanoRacks Control Module is configurable by the user to generate and receive various signal and data types that may be required for the experiment. The NanoRacks Control Module has its own series of sensors that can provide baseline data about the experiment in process, such as vibration and temperature. In addition, the NCM has a battery operating mode that allows for the environment to be monitored before flight and attachment to the NanoRacks frame.