For this week's hardware blog post, we're introducing you to our mechanical structure!

Q: What is the the mechanical structure hardware?

A: This is the first prototype for the mechanical structure of the NEUDOSE CubeSat! It was built right here in Hamilton ON at MERQ Inc. The machining of these precision components is accurate 50 micrometers (about the width of a human hair). For more information about MERC, you can check out there LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/merqinc/

Q: What is the mechanical structure used for?

A: The mechanical structure is the skeleton of the NEUDOSE CubeSat. These parts provide the strength to stand up to the tough environment of the launch. The structure is what holds all of the other parts of the satellite together despite the powerful forces and vibrations experienced on the rocket.

Q: What are the improvements since the last version?

A: The black colour on these parts comes from a hardcoat aluminum oxide coating, provided by Aluminum Surface Technologies in Burlington ON. The coating process is called anodization which results in a tough and durable protective layer on the important surfaces of the structure. These are the places where our satellite will contact the CubSat deployer aboard the ISS and we need to take special care to make sure these surfaces are perfect! For more information about Aluminum Surface Technologies, here is there LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aluminum-surface-technologies/

Q: What progress have you made during quarantine?

A: During the quarantine we have been working hard to transform our many hours of design and simulation work into real physical parts. We hope you are as excited as we are to see some hard work paying off!

We hope you learned something new about the mechanical structure hardware! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions about this hardware or NEUDOSE.