Composite structure of a cubesat satellite with embedded sensors for structural monitoring experiment

The structure of a cubesat satellite, manufactured in laminated composite material is provided of an accelerometer and a piezoelectric sensor to monitor his structural behaviour and transmit it via wireless radio connection. The aim of this experiment is to sense permanently the state of stress and/or deformation to which a generic space structure is subjected during transportation, assembling, launch or operative life. This capability is achieved by mean of a network of sensors, wired to a processing unit. Such unit is linked to a remote control station via wireless radio connection to transmit the acquired data, collect and process it. A shaker device simulates different vibrational environments. This manuscript describes both the design and the manufacturing phase of the sensorized composite structure and the structural monitoring experiment via radio transmission of vibrational parameters.