Desarrollo de un sistema de apoyo a la educación en ingeniería de sistemas utilizando satélites para aulas.
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Date
2026
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Publisher
Universidad de Concepción
Abstract
Esta memoria de título presenta las fases de diseño conceptual y en detalle, implementación, integración y validación de un kit educativo tipo CubeSat orientado a apoyar la enseñanza de ingeniería de sistemas espaciales, con énfasis en el ciclo AIT/AIV, la integración de subsistemas y la gestión de complejidad bajo restricciones reales. El proyecto se enmarca en el crecimiento del entorno espacial chileno y en la necesidad de formar capital humano capaz de enfrentar sistemas interdisciplinarios desde etapas relativamente tempranas de formación profesional.
El trabajo adopta un enfoque iterativo y pragmático, donde el sistema es considerado más como una plataforma educativa que como un satélite funcional. El diseño integra subsistemas de potencia (EPS), computador a bordo (OBC), sensores, comunicaciones y estructura, priorizando la modularidad, la seguridad eléctrica e informática y la trazabilidad del proceso de integración. En el software de vuelo se implementa una arquitectura minimalista basada en CircuitPython, con manejo explícito de excepciones, modos de debug y desarrollo, y tolerancia a fallas de sensores, permitiendo operar el sistema aun en configuraciones parciales o incompletas e incluso resistir fallas en el circuito. Se diseñan e implementan ciclos básicos de Command and Data Handling y Communications, utilizando WLAN y MQTT como interfaces mínimas de telemetría y comando, dejando planteada una arquitectura robusta para futuras iteraciones.
La integración de sensores contempla buses I2C, OneWire y señales analógicas, incluyendo sensores de potencia, temperatura y luminosidad. Si bien no se logra integrar completamente un payload óptico ni una IMU debido a limitaciones técnicas, de librerías y a incidentes durante la integración, estas falencias se analizan explícitamente y se utilizan para modelar decisiones de diseño más seguras en futuras implementaciones. El proyecto enfatiza la importancia de identificar puntos de detención responsables cuando la implementación completa introduce riesgos injustificados.
Como validación, se diseña y ejecuta una experiencia educativa piloto en la forma de un laboratorio práctico grupal, centrada en aceptación, integración y verificación de subsistemas, permitiendo a los estudiantes interactuar directamente con el kit, las guías de apoyo y la infraestructura de comunicaciones. La experiencia demuestra la utilidad del sistema como herramienta de apoyo a la educación, revelando además oportunidades ergonómicas de mejora en materiales de apoyo, tiempos y organización del trabajo colaborativo.
Finalmente, se evalúa la factibilidad logística y económica de producir el sistema en lotes pequeños (5 a 10 kits), demostrando que es posible fabricar, preparar e integrar los kits en plazos inferiores a un mes y con costos unitarios acotados. Las conclusiones reconocen tanto los éxitos del proceso como las falencias reiteradas, pero destacando el enfoque en seguridad, la necesidad de equipos multidisciplinarios y el valor educativo de exponer a los estudiantes a sistemas reales, incompletos y propensos a falla.
This thesis presents the conceptual and detailed design, implementation, integration, and validation phases of a CubeSat-type educational kit designed to support the teaching of space systems engineering, with an emphasis on the AIT/AIV cycle, subsystem integration, and complexity management under real-world constraints. The project is framed within the growth of the Chilean space sector and the need to develop human capital capable of addressing interdisciplinary systems from relatively early stages of professional training. The work adopts an iterative and pragmatic approach, where the system is considered more as an educational platform than as a functional satellite. The design integrates power (EPS), on-board computer (OBC), sensor, communications, and structural subsystems, prioritizing modularity, electrical and IT security, and traceability of the integration process. The flight software implements a minimalist architecture based on CircuitPython, with explicit exception handling, debug and development modes, and sensor fault tolerance, allowing the system to operate even in partial or incomplete configurations and even withstand circuit failures. Basic Command and Data Handling and Communications cycles are designed and implemented, using WLAN and MQTT as the minimum telemetry and command interfaces, establishing a robust architecture for future iterations. Sensor integration includes I2C and OneWire buses, as well as analog signals, including power, temperature, and light sensors. While full integration of an optical payload and an IMU is not achieved due to technical limitations, library constraints, and integration issues, these shortcomings are explicitly analyzed and used to inform safer design decisions in future implementations. The project emphasizes the importance of identifying responsible stopping points when full implementation introduces unjustified risks. As a validation measure, a pilot educational experience is designed and implemented in the form of a group hands-on lab, focused on the acceptance, integration, and verification of subsystems, allowing students to interact directly with the kit, supporting guides, and communications infrastructure. Experience demonstrates the system's usefulness as an educational support tool, also revealing ergonomic opportunities for improvement in support materials, timing, and the organization of collaborative work. Finally, the logistical and economic feasibility of producing the system in small batches (5 to 10 kits) is evaluated, demonstrating that it is possible to manufacture, prepare, and integrate the kits in less than a month and with limited unit costs. The conclusions acknowledge both the successes of the process and the recurring shortcomings, but highlight the focus on safety, the need for multidisciplinary teams, and the educational value of exposing students to real, incomplete, and failure-prone systems.
This thesis presents the conceptual and detailed design, implementation, integration, and validation phases of a CubeSat-type educational kit designed to support the teaching of space systems engineering, with an emphasis on the AIT/AIV cycle, subsystem integration, and complexity management under real-world constraints. The project is framed within the growth of the Chilean space sector and the need to develop human capital capable of addressing interdisciplinary systems from relatively early stages of professional training. The work adopts an iterative and pragmatic approach, where the system is considered more as an educational platform than as a functional satellite. The design integrates power (EPS), on-board computer (OBC), sensor, communications, and structural subsystems, prioritizing modularity, electrical and IT security, and traceability of the integration process. The flight software implements a minimalist architecture based on CircuitPython, with explicit exception handling, debug and development modes, and sensor fault tolerance, allowing the system to operate even in partial or incomplete configurations and even withstand circuit failures. Basic Command and Data Handling and Communications cycles are designed and implemented, using WLAN and MQTT as the minimum telemetry and command interfaces, establishing a robust architecture for future iterations. Sensor integration includes I2C and OneWire buses, as well as analog signals, including power, temperature, and light sensors. While full integration of an optical payload and an IMU is not achieved due to technical limitations, library constraints, and integration issues, these shortcomings are explicitly analyzed and used to inform safer design decisions in future implementations. The project emphasizes the importance of identifying responsible stopping points when full implementation introduces unjustified risks. As a validation measure, a pilot educational experience is designed and implemented in the form of a group hands-on lab, focused on the acceptance, integration, and verification of subsystems, allowing students to interact directly with the kit, supporting guides, and communications infrastructure. Experience demonstrates the system's usefulness as an educational support tool, also revealing ergonomic opportunities for improvement in support materials, timing, and the organization of collaborative work. Finally, the logistical and economic feasibility of producing the system in small batches (5 to 10 kits) is evaluated, demonstrating that it is possible to manufacture, prepare, and integrate the kits in less than a month and with limited unit costs. The conclusions acknowledge both the successes of the process and the recurring shortcomings, but highlight the focus on safety, the need for multidisciplinary teams, and the educational value of exposing students to real, incomplete, and failure-prone systems.
Description
Tesis presentada para optar al título de Ingeniero/a Civil Aeroespacial.
Keywords
Satélites artificiales, Enseñanza, Sistemas espaciales, Formación profesional