Laboratory-Scale Test Platforms for Femto-Satellite Attitude Control Systems

Stamat, L., Hu, Z., McRobb, M. and McInnes, C. (2020) Laboratory-Scale Test Platforms for Femto-Satellite Attitude Control Systems. In: 2020 AIAA SciTech Forum, Orlando, FL, USA, 06-10 Jan 2020, AIAA 2020-0930. ISBN 9781624105951 (doi: 10.2514/6.2020-0930)

[img]
Preview
Text
205103.pdf - Accepted Version

2MB

Abstract

Femto-satellites have attracted growing attention over the past few years, with various universities taking up the challenge declared by the N-Prize. Many novel designs have been proposed, some of which are equipped with active attitude control based on either magnetic or electro-chromic control systems. However, conventional test platforms are unsuitable for testing control systems on such small length-scales and as such, developing suitable test platforms to be used for testing femto-satellite attitude control algorithms becomes important. This paper proposes six different concepts of laboratory-scale test platforms for femto-satellite attitude control testing, based on various physical laws. These platforms are manufactured using SLA 3D printing technology and then assembled. Qualitative observations are recorded and an experimental setup is devised in order to quantify the total resistive torque that appears in each platform. Results show that two of the designs display a maximum resistive torque on the order of 10^(-6) when spinning very rapidly, decreasing to the order of 10^(-7) at low angular velocities, which makes these designs suitable for their intended purpose. Finally, future work is proposed towards assessing the suitability of the other four platforms.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Additional Information:Liviu Stamat acknowledges a PhD Scholarship from the College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow. Colin McInnes acknowledges support from a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies and a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Stamat, Liviu and McRobb, Dr Malcolm and McInnes, Professor Colin and Hu, Dr Zhongxu
Authors: Stamat, L., Hu, Z., McRobb, M., and McInnes, C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
ISBN:9781624105951
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record