🔧 Build Your Own Satellite
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Welcome to your MySat Kit!
With this guide, you’ll transform 50+ components into a fully functional CubeSat nanosatellite model.
What’s ahead:
1. Getting to know your satellite’s onboard electronics
2. Programming the microcontrollers
3. Assembling a standard 1U CubeSat frame
Follow the instruction sections in the given order.
Use the document tabs for navigation.
Good luck!
Building
Operating
01. Preparing the electronics
Let’s figure out what goes where in your satellite
Almost every space satellite (except for the very simplest ones) starts with electronic components. CubeSat-type satellites generally have very similar electronics and layout schematics. The MySat Kit simulates most of the core mandatory systems of a nanosatellite. Let’s find out how they work and how they connect to each other.
Connecting the subsystems of your CubeSat
Step 1️. Connect the boards together
| Prepare: | ||
| MySat board (A) | MySat board (B) | Set of mounting standoffs |
 |  |  |
1. Separate the standoffs into long, medium, and short types — 4 pieces of each.
2. Insert the medium standoffs into the holes of board (B) on the bottom side.
Use the “This side …” labels on the boards to determine the correct side
Secure them with the short standoffs from the top side.
3. Place board (A) on top. Make sure the inter-board connectors are aligned.
Step 2. Connect the camera to the onboard computer.
| Prepare: | |
| ESP32-CAM microcontroller | Camera with ribbon cable |
 |  |
1. On the ESP32-CAM, open the ribbon cable latch (it lifts like a lid, up to 90°)
2. Insert the camera ribbon cable with the gold contacts facing down
3. Close the ribbon cable latch by returning it to its original position
Be careful with the camera ribbon! The delicate cable can be easily torn during further assembly.
Step 3. Insert the modular components into the MySat boards (A) and (B).
| Prepare: | ||
| Assembled MySat boards | Set of wired modules (6 pcs) | All electronic modules (7 pcs) |
 |  |  |
1. Familiarize yourself with the components and their functions.
| Command & Data Handling System (C&DH) | ||
|---|---|---|
| ESP32-CAM board | main onboard computer |
 | ATmega328P microcontroller board | auxiliary onboard computer |
 | DS3231 module | real-time clock for onboard computers |
| Communication System | ||
 | HC-12 module | radio receiver and transmitter |
| Electric Power System (EPS) | ||
 | Li-ion 18650 battery | autonomous energy source |
 | MH CD-42 module | onboard battery controller |
 | MySat solar panels ×2 | photovoltaic energy converter |
| INA3221 chip *built into the MySat board ( A ) v.1.5.3+ | voltage and current monitor | |
| Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) | ||
 | MPU**** module | gyroscope and accelerometer (inertial navigation system) |
 | ADS1015 module | analog-to-digital converter (solar navigation system) |
 | Photosensor module ×4 | light detector (solar navigation system) |
| Satellite Payload | ||
 | BME680 module | environmental sensor |
| OV2640 camera | visible spectrum camera |
| Debugging Interface (not installed on real satellites) |
||
 | MySat StarLED indicator | |
 | MySat SignalLED indicator *does not work with boards 1.5.3. - 1.5.5 |
|
2. Insert the electronic modules into the board.
Use the labels on the board or the provided diagram for guidance:
4. Insert the wired modules:
- 4 photodiodes — into the PHOTO sockets on board (A)
- Bright StarLED indicator — into the Star socket on board (A)
- Addressable SignalLED indicator — into the Signal LED socket on board (A)e:
Almost all electronic subsystems are now connected.
*We will add the solar panels in Module 3 of this guide.
Now, let’s go over the main principles of how the components you’ve just used actually work:
Getting to know the principles of MySat electronics
How is the MySat electronics powered?
Power is supplied to the MySat board (A) and then transmitted to the MySat board (B).
Attention! The boards can only be powered when assembled! Board (A) cannot operate without Board (B), and vice versa. Make sure the MySat boards are connected to each other!
There are three ways to provide power to the electronic components:
Battery charging is done via the IN 5V port.
Use the USB Type C cable provided in the kit for this.
How to turn off MySat?
A space satellite does not have a conventional power switch — its subsystems are powered by default. However, while the CubeSat is still on Earth, it can be physically (not programmatically) turned off by inserting the inhibitor pin ‘Remove Before Flight’ into its designated socket..
| How to disconnect power depending on the source |
||
|---|---|---|
| № | power supply | blocking power from the source |
| 1 | Via the USB Type-C IN 5V port on the MySat board (A) RECOMMENDED FOR OPERATION! | - Insert the “RemoveBeforeFlight” plug inhibitor or - Disconnect the cable or - Turn off the MH CD-42 power controller. |
| 2 | From the onboard battery. | - Insert the “RemoveBeforeFlight” plug inhibitor or - Turn off the MH CD-42 power controller |
| 3 | Through the PROGRAMER connector on the MySat board (A) | - Disconnect the wires |
How does the Remove Before Flight power inhibitor work?
The plug physically opens the contacts, functioning as a switch.
When the plug is inserted into the socket on the board, the electrical circuit is broken, and power from both the battery and the IN 5V port (USB Type-C) is not supplied.
Note: The Remove Before Flight plug does not cut off power if it is supplied directly through the PROGRAMER port.
How to use the MH CD-42 power controller button?
Press the button once to turn the module ON.Press the button twice to turn the module OFF.
Greetings!
You have completed Module 1 of assembling your satellite — Connecting the electronic subsystems together.
It’s now time to move on to Module 2 — Programming the brains of your satellite ⇒