Educational kit for practices with picosatellites

Description

/ 7 Educational kit for practices with picosatellites. Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to an educational teaching kit aimed at teaching and practical training in picosatellite technologies, designed to develop skills in the areas of aerospace engineering, electronics, telecommunications and space sciences. Focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, the kit offers an integrated approach that facilitates the understanding and application of theoretical and practical concepts related to the design, assembly, operation and monitoring of picosatellites. In this way, it allows students and professionals to gain experience with technologies used in small satellites, such as CubeSats. In addition, the kit can be used in formal educational environments, such as schools, universities and technical training centers, in extracurricular teaching activities, academic research projects and also in distance learning. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION

[002] The growing interest in space exploration and the development of associated technologies, such as picosatellites, has driven the demand for qualified professionals in various technological areas. However, access to practical and affordable educational tools for teaching aerospace engineering and satellite technologies is limited, especially in secondary, technical, and university educational environments.

[003] Traditional teaching approaches in the field of space science often focus on theory, without providing adequate hands-on experience. Furthermore, the high costs and complexity of the equipment required for experimentation with conventional satellites are significant limitations. Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 10 / 20 / 7 or large-scale simulation systems restrict their use in classrooms or educational laboratories.

[004] The present invention proposes an accessible, modular, and safe educational kit for the practical teaching of concepts related to picosatellites, such as design, construction, operation, and monitoring. The kit allows students to simulate small-scale space missions and experience cutting-edge technologies interactively. By integrating hardware and software components adapted to the educational level, the invention enables practical training in areas such as embedded systems, telecommunications, and data science, without the need for large investments in infrastructure.

[005] This practical approach aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice in the teaching of space sciences and technologies, fostering the interest and training of new generations of engineers, scientists and technicians, contributing to the advancement of research and innovation in the aerospace field.

[006] A patent search was carried out, in which some educational kits were found, but for purposes different from the device proposed by this invention.

[007] Many educational teaching kits are known in the state of the art, such as, for example: BR2020160234706,BR1020220138400, BR2020210086535,BR1020210032227,BR2020200135657,BR102019016034, BR2020180771952,BR1020140199594,BR2020140020280,PI1009168-8,MU75 00816-5,PI0802123-6,BR1020170037770,MU7601541-6,MU7100370-3,MU700 2793-5, MU7002645-9, MU6902366-2, which refer to educational kits in the areas of engineering, mathematics, physics, chemistry, mechanics, and industrial processes, but none in the aerospace field, more specifically in picosatellites, like the device proposed in this invention.

[008] Additionally, a search was conducted for educational kits for picosatellite practices based on scientific articles that address aspects related to aerospace engineering education, picosatellites, and the use of technologies for learning, but the invention Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 11 / 20 / 7 described in this patent has characteristics that differentiate it in a significant way.

[009] Batschauer, DV, Zuchi, EL & Fischer, MJ (2021) “Development of an educational picosatellite - CapSat”. This work proposes a cansat-type educational picosatellite model, focused on integrating traditional satellite subsystems such as communication and power. In contrast, this patent stands out for its modularity and accessibility, incorporating an ABS structure manufactured by 3D printing, interchangeable boards (connection, diagnostic, sensor, control and power boards) and inclusive elements such as sound and light emitters. In addition, the kit offers energy autonomy with solar panels and compatibility with free programming environments, features not addressed by CapSat.

[010] Swartwout, MA (2013) - The first one hundred CubeSats: A statistical look. This article presents a statistical analysis of the first CubeSat missions and their uses in research, but does not focus on the educational aspect or the creation of didactic kits. The invention presented in the patent, on the contrary, focuses specifically on the accessibility of picosatellite learning, with emphasis on modularity, usability for students, and ease of assembly and disassembly, which is not addressed in the aforementioned study.

[011] Puig-Suari, J., Turner, C., & Ahlgren, W (2001) - Development of the standard CubeSat deployer and a CubeSat PicoSatellite class. Although this article describes the evolution of CubeSats and their launch standards, the invention described in the patent does not deal with the launch of picosatellites, but rather with the creation of a modular educational kit, using 3D printing and inclusive technologies such as sound and light communication. The patent kit aims to teach the assembly, operation, and monitoring of picosatellites in a practical educational environment, which is not the focus of the aforementioned article.

[012] Bouwmeester, J., & Guo, J. (2010) - Research on missions, distributions and technology of pico-world nanosatellites. The article Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 12 / 20 / 7 focuses on the analysis of picosatellite missions worldwide and subsystem technologies, but does not address the construction of specific educational kits for practical picosatellite learning. The invention proposed in the patent differs by providing a practical, modular, and accessible solution for teaching the concepts behind picosatellites in educational environments. The use of modular components and the ease of assembly and disassembly are aspects not addressed in the article.

[013] Barnhart, DJ, Vladimirova, T., & Sweeting, MN (2009) Very-small-satellite design for distributed space missions. This work addresses the design of small satellites for distributed space missions, but does not discuss the implementation of educational kits or the focus on teaching space technologies in a practical and accessible way. The invention described in the patent is specific to teaching, focusing on making picosatellite practices more accessible, using 3D printing, solar panels for charging and low-cost materials, which is a distinct approach from satellite engineering applied directly to space missions.

[014] Currently, there are some educational kits on the market aimed at educational practices with picosatellites, as found at: www.lusosat.org and www.pionlabs.com.br / cubesat. These products are intended to introduce the basic concepts of miniature satellites and assist in teaching science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). However, they differ in some essential aspects from the device proposed in this invention.

[015] Compared to currently available solutions, the device in this patent stands out for its modular components, ease of replacing parts in case of defects, the ability to fit the boards in any order, preventing damage to the equipment if the sequence is altered, and for having solar panels that allow charging the battery with solar radiation. Furthermore, it does not require a specific programming environment, as it can be programmed on free platforms compatible with the controller used, and it has a diagnostic board. Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 13 / 20 / 7 equipped with sound and light emitters, facilitating communication with people with disabilities.

[016] The device is constructed from ABS using 3D printing, which allows for assembly and disassembly by snapping together without the use of screws, making it easier for students to handle and contributing to a reduction in production costs. The use of low-cost materials also reinforces the accessibility of this kit, making it a viable and economical alternative for the practical teaching of space technologies.

[017] These innovative features make the present invention more suitable for teaching and practical training in varied educational environments, including schools, universities, technical training centers, and extracurricular activities. Its flexibility and ease of use also make it ideal for academic research projects and distance learning, as well as fostering learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), preparing students and professionals for the challenges of space technologies.

[018] Therefore, although there are educational kits aimed at teaching with picosatellites, the device presented in this patent incorporates a series of innovations, such as the modularization of components, the possibility of easy replacement of parts, the flexibility in fitting the boards without risk of damage, the use of solar panels for autonomous charging, compatibility with free programming environments, a diagnostic board with audible and visual signals for accessibility, and low-cost materials. These characteristics give the device superior adaptability and accessibility, thus filling gaps that are not covered by products currently offered on the market. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[019] Figure 1 shows the teaching kit with the lid open, at its front, making it possible to see the plates inside. Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 14 / 20 / 7

[020] Figure 2 shows the back, emphasizing the solar panels.

[021] Figure 3 details the fitting of the five boards and their components.

[022] Figure 4 shows an exploded view, facilitating the understanding of the modular structure's interlocking assembly. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[023] The proposed invention consists of a modular structure made of ABS, using 3D printing, which eliminates the need for screws, making assembly and disassembly easier for the user, as seen in figure 3, reducing costs and promoting greater accessibility.

[024] The kit contains five main boards, shown in Figure 3, which are interchangeable and can be connected in any order without risk of damage to the equipment: Connection Board (5), responsible for interconnecting the other boards and equipped with solar panels for autonomous battery charging; Diagnostic Board (1), which has sound (1c) and light (1b and 1c) emitters, allowing inclusive communication with users, including people with visual or hearing impairments; Sensor Board (2), composed of at least temperature (2a), humidity (2a), accelerometer (2b), gyroscope (2b), atmospheric pressure (2d), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), air quality (2e) and luminosity (2c) sensors, which enable practical applications such as collection and analysis of experimental data; Control Board (3), containing a microcontroller module (3a) and an SD card module (3b), which allows the storage of data collected by the sensors;Power board (4), which integrates a battery (4b) and a charge controller (4a), ensuring energy autonomy for the device.

[025] The modular design allows the kit to be configured and reconfigured as needed by users, making it suitable for teaching, research and experimentation activities. Its compatibility Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 15 / 20 / 7 with free programming platforms expands the possibilities of learning and use, eliminating the need for specific software. Example of Implementation of the Invention

[026] With a view to realizing the EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES, a version was built using: ABS for the kit structure, as shown in figure 1, producing a picosatellite with dimensions of 10cm x 10cm x 10cm; a diagnostic board (1) with 2 RGB LEDs (1b), 4 high-brightness LEDs (1a) and a Buzzer (1c); a sensor board (2) with the sensors: DHT22 (2a), MPU9250 (2b), LDR (2c), CCS811 (2d) and BMP280 (2e); a control board (3) with an esp32-wroom microcontroller module (3a) and an SD card module (3b); a power board (4) with a TP4056 module (4a) and a 3.7 volt 1200mAh LIPO battery (4b); and a connection board (5) with pin header type connectors (5a) and 5 volt 375mW solar panels (5b).

[027] In order to test the operation of the invention, the BIPES platform, a free online software, was used to program and test the communications between the sensors, microcontroller, SD card, LEDs and buzzer, as well as to verify the charging of the battery by the solar panels.

[028] With the model built, it was possible to verify the functionalities and applications mentioned in this patent entitled EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES. Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 16 / 20

Claims

Claims 1. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, characterized by comprising a modular structure with assembly and disassembly by means of interlocking fittings (6), consisting of at least the following boards: diagnostic board (1), sensor board (2), control board (3), power board (4) and connection board (5), all electrically interconnected by snap-fit ​​connectors (5a), with the boards being able to be arranged in any order.

2. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, according to claim 1, characterized by the diagnostic board (1), which has sound emitters (1c) and light emitters (1a and 1b).

3. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, according to claim 1, characterized by the sensor board (2), composed of at least temperature sensors (2a), humidity sensor (2a), accelerometer (2b), gyroscope (2b), atmospheric pressure sensor (2d), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), air quality sensor (2e) and light sensor (2c).

4. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, according to claim 1, characterized by the control board (3), which comprises at least one microcontroller module (3a) and one SD card module (3b).

5. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, according to claim 1, characterized by the power board (4), which integrates a battery (4b) and a charge controller (4a).

6. “EDUCATIONAL DIDACTIC KIT FOR PRACTICES WITH PICOSATELLITES”, according to claim 1, characterized by the connection plate (5), which contains connectors (5a) and solar panels (5b), intended for autonomous battery charging. Petition 870250011419, dated 12 / 02 / 2025, page 17 / 20

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