About PEANUT

The objective of the Piezo Electric Actuators on Nanosatellite Unit Testbed (PEANUT) Experiment is the development and testing of novel, piezo-electric actuators on satellite platforms. It aims to show the feasibility of this actuator type, demonstrate their functionality and verify whether these actuators can reduce vibrations compared to regular ones. PEANUT consists of two separate units, the Rocket Mounted Unit (RMU) and the Free Fall Unit. The RMU will eject the FFU from the rocket to test the actuator‘s performance in free fall. In the FFU piezo-electric actuators, an accelerometer to evaluate the actuator‘s performance and an Attitude Determination System are contained. During free fall the goal is to perform detumbling and subsequent three-axis control of the FFU by using the piezoelectric actuators and verifying their vibrational performance. Flight and mission data are fully saved and recovered by means of a parachute and communications system.