Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: CubeSats are small, lightweight satellites which are often used by academic institutions
due to their application potential and low cost. Because of their size and weight, less
powerful attitude controllers, such as solar sails, can be used.
In 2010, the Japanese satellite, Ikaros, was launched to illustrate the usage of solar sails
as a propulsion system. Similarly, by exploiting the solar radiation pressure, it is possible
to use a solar sail, together with three magnetorquers, to achieve 3-axis attitude control
of a 3-unit CubeSat.
Simulations are required to demonstrate the attitude control of a sun-synchronous, low
Earth orbit CubeSat using a solar sail. To allow the adjustment of the solar sail, and its
resulting torque, a mechanical structure is required which can be used to position the
sail within two orthogonal axes. Although the magnetorquers and solar sail are sufficient
to achieve 3-axis attitude control, the addition of a reaction wheel can be implemented
in an attempt to improve this control. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: CubeSats is klein, ligte satelliete wat dikwels deur universiteite gebruik word weens hul
lae koste en groot toepassings potensiaal. As gevolg van hulle gewig en grootte, kan
minder kragtige posisie beheerders, soos byvoorbeeld sonseile, gebruik word.
Die Japannese satelliet, Ikaros, was in 2010 gelanseer om die gebruik van ’n sonseil as
aandrywingstelsel te illustreer. Net so is dit moontlik om die bestraling van die son te
gebruik, met behulp van ’n sonseil, en drie magneetstange om 3-as posisiebeheer op ’n
3-eenheid CubeSat te bekom.
Simulasies word benodig om die posisie beheer van ’n sonsinkrone, lae-aard wentelbaan
CubeSat met ’n sonseil te demonstreer. ’n Meganiese struktuur word benodig vir die
posisionering van die sonseil in twee ortogonale asse sodat die sonseil, en dus die geassosieerde
draaimoment, verskuif kan word. Alhoewel die magneetstange en sonseil
voldoende is om 3-as posisiebeheer te bekom, kan ’n reaksiewiel bygevoeg word om
hierdie beheer te probeer verbeter.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/6862 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | Mey, Philip Hendrik |
| Contributors | Steyn, W. H., University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 119 p. : ill. |
| Rights | University of Stellenbosch |
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