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Mission 1 · Spacecraft Systems

Build Your First CubeSat

2D drawing · + and − zoom, 0 resets

Illustrative 1U CubeSat for learning: simplified parts, simulated values. Select a part to learn what it does.

Educational simulation · simplified physics, illustrative values · not flight data

Learn · step 1 of 3

Meet the 1U frame

Goal: Rotate the empty frame and find the four rails it slides along.

A CubeSat is built from 10 cm cubes called units; one cube is a 1U CubeSat, about the size of a large mug. It rides to orbit in a spring-loaded box and slides out along its four corner rails.

Drag the model to rotate it (or use the arrow keys); the buttons on the right zoom and reset.

Show the maths
How big is 1U?
V = 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm
= 1,000 cm³ = 1 litre
V is volume, in cubic centimetres (cm³)

Everything the satellite needs has to fit in one litre: the computer, radio, battery, camera and more.

About this mission

Assemble a 1U CubeSat part by part in 3D, learn what each subsystem does, then balance its mass and power budgets.

You will

  • Install eight subsystems in a workable order
  • Identify parts by their job
  • Trade payload, solar panels and radio time

Concepts in this mission

  • 1U form factor
  • Mass budget
  • Solar power P = S·A·η·cos θ
  • Power margin

Part of the Spacecraft Systems track, with its course description and a lesson plan for each age level.

About the model

An educational simulation, not a validated engineering tool. The physics is real but simplified and the numbers are illustrative values chosen for learning; each step says what it leaves out. Do not use it to design real flight hardware.

Independence, safety and privacy

  • Interactive missions use simplified models and simulated, illustrative values. They are labelled as such and are not flight data.
  • Missions never ask for a name, school, age or contact details. Progress is stored only in this browser and can be cleared at any time. This site uses Google Analytics to count page visits and mission steps. Some of the site's existing tutorials ask visitors to sign in with a Google account. If you are under 18, check with a parent or guardian before signing in.
  • Space Academy is part of an independent ISHAVASYAM.ORG education initiative. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or run on behalf of ISRO, IN-SPACe, NSIL or the Department of Space.
  • Learning here does not register anyone for, or make anyone eligible for, any national or international competition. Each competition's organisers set its rules and eligibility.
  • Written for learners aged 14 to 18. Anyone may play the self-paced missions; enquiries from under-18s need a parent or guardian.

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