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Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat

Thesis (MscEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.

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Main Author: Auret, Jacoba
Other Authors: Steyn, W. H.
Format: Thesis
Language:en_ZA
Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2012
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access_status_str Open Access
author Auret, Jacoba
author2 Steyn, W. H.
author_browse Auret, Jacoba
Steyn, W. H.
author_facet Steyn, W. H.
Auret, Jacoba
author_sort Auret, Jacoba
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv Stellenbosch University
description Thesis (MscEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/19956
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language en_ZA
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:44:50.018Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2012
publishDateRange 2012
publishDateSort 2012
publisher Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
publisherStr Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/19956 Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat Auret, Jacoba Steyn, W. H. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. CubeSat Aerodynamic 3-Axis Stabilised Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems Dissertations -- Electronic engineering Theses -- Electronic engineering Artificial satellites -- Control systems Thesis (MscEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, is developing a 3-unit CubeSat for a low earth polar orbit. The two main payloads are a camera and a radio frequency beacon. This beacon will be used to calibrate the radar antenna patterns of an antenna of the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory at their base in Antarctica. This thesis describes the development of an aerodynamic attitude determination and control system needed to achieve three-axis stabilisation of the satellite and to perform accurate pointing of the camera. The satellite structure is designed to utilise aerodynamic means of control. It includes four feather antennae for passive pitch-yaw stabilisation and two active aerodynamic roll control paddles. The sensors used are a three-axis magnetometer, ne sun sensor and nadir sensor. Three attitude determination methods are investigated, namely the Triad, Rate Kalman Filter and Extended Kalman Filter algorithm. Apart from the aerodynamic control elements of the satellite, three magnetic torque rods and three nano-reaction wheels are also included in the design. Three control modes for the satellite are identi ed and various control methods are investigated for these control modes. The various attitude determination and control methods are evaluated through simulations and the results are compared to determine the nal methods to be used by the satellite. The magnetic Rate Kalman Filter is chosen as attitude determination method to be used when the satellite is tumbling and a combination of the sun Rate Kalman Filter and the Triad algorithm is to be used when the satellite experiences low angular rates. The B-dot and Y-spin controller is chosen for the detumbling control mode, the aerodynamic and cross-product control method for the three-axis stabilisation control mode and the quaternion feedback control method for the pointing control mode of the satellite. The combination of magnetic and aerodynamic control proved to be su cient for the initial stabilisation of the satellite, but the three nano-reaction wheels are required for the pointing control of the imaging process. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Kaapse Skiereiland Universiteit van Tegnologie, in samewerking met die Universiteit van Stellenbosch, is tans besig met die ontwikkeling van 'n 3-eenheid CubeSat vir 'n pol^ere, lae aard-wentelbaan. Die twee loonvragte van die satelliet bestaan uit 'n kamera en 'n radiofrekwensie-baken. Die radiofrekwensie-baken sal gebruik word om 'n antenna van die Hermanus Magnetiese Observatorium, by hul basis in Antarktika, se radar antenna patrone te kalibreer. Hierdie tesis beskryf die ontwikkeling van 'n aerodinamiese ori entasiebepaling en -beheerstelsel wat benodig word om die satelliet in drie asse te stabiliseer en om die kamera noukeurig te rig. Die satelliet se struktuur word ontwerp vir aerodinamiese beheer. Dit sluit vier veerantennas in vir passiewe duik-gier beheer, asook twee aerodynamiese rolbeheer appies vir aktiewe beheer. Die sensors wat gebruik word sluit 'n drie-as magnetometer, fyn sonsensor en nadirsensor in. Drie ori entasiebepalingsmetodes word ondersoek, naamlik die Drietal, Tempo Kalman lter en die Uitgebreide Kalman lter algoritmes. Buiten die aerodinamiese beheerelemente van die satelliet, word daar ook drie magneetstange en drie nano-reaksiewiele ingesluit in die ontwerp. Daar word onderskeid getref tussen drie beheermodusse en verskeie beheermetodes word ondersoek vir hierdie beheermodusse. Die verskeie ori entasiebepalings- en ori entasiebeheermetodes word ge evalueer deur middel van simulasies en die resultate word vergelyk om die beste metodes vir die satelliet se gebruik te bepaal. Die magnetiese Tempo Kalman lter word gekies as ori entasiebepalingsmetode vir 'n tuimelende satelliet en die kombinasie van die son Tempo Kalman lter en Drietal algoritme word gebruik vir 'n satelliet met lae hoektempos. Die B-dot en Y-spin beheerder word gekies vir die tuimelbeheermodus, die aerodinamiese en kruisproduk beheermetode vir die drie-as-stabilisasie-beheermodus en die kwaternioon terugvoer beheermetode vir die rigbeheermodus van die satelliet. Daar word bepaal dat die samespanning van magnetiese en aerodinamiese beheer voldoende is vir die aanvanklike stabilisering van die satelliet, maar dat die drie nano-reaksiewiele benodig word om die kamera te rig tydens die beeldvormingproses. 2012-03-12T07:53:42Z 2012-03-30T10:28:10Z 2012-03-12T07:53:42Z 2012-03-30T10:28:10Z 2012-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/19956 en_ZA Stellenbosch University 97 p. : ill. application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
spellingShingle CubeSat
Aerodynamic
3-Axis Stabilised
Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems
Dissertations -- Electronic engineering
Theses -- Electronic engineering
Artificial satellites -- Control systems
Auret, Jacoba
Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title_full Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title_fullStr Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title_full_unstemmed Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title_short Design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a CubeSat
title_sort design of an aerodynamic attitude control system for a cubesat
topic CubeSat
Aerodynamic
3-Axis Stabilised
Artificial satellites -- Attitude control systems
Dissertations -- Electronic engineering
Theses -- Electronic engineering
Artificial satellites -- Control systems
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/19956
work_keys_str_mv AT auretjacoba designofanaerodynamicattitudecontrolsystemforacubesat