An overview of the Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) project

Abstract

The main thrust of this thesis is to present a manageable document that accurately portrays the current state of PANSAT and its supporting infrastructure. Research efforts involved investigating a variety of aspects of the PANSAT program including chronology, design, decision processes, and operations. The program objectives include the role of the PANSAT project as an educational tool for officer students and as a proof of concept for a small, digital store-and-forward communications satellite. An extensive list of external agency documentation requirements is also included. Scholastic institutions conducting similar projects could use this thesis as a design guideline as well as to spearhead their documentation efforts. This thesis is meant to be a comprehensive document as well as a suitable starting point for information concerning the PANSAT program.