Development of Attitude Control System for an International Nanosatellites Formation Flying Mission
- Paper number
IAC-09.C1.7.11
- Author
Dr. Yuri Kim, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Year
2009
- Abstract
This paper introduces the Attitude Control System (ACS) for Japan Canada Joint Collaboration Satellites mission (JC2Sat). This is a collaborative project between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) with the final goal to demonstrate novel satellites formation control for two 20kg-class nanosatellites. Each of the two satellites is also equipped with a novel miniature far miniature far infrared radiometer (Mirad) as a payload studying Earth infrared radiation. The pair of satellites will be controlled in orbit (along track) purely by the difference in atmospheric drag forces between them. This differential atmospheric drag is created by the difference in pitch angles of the two satellites that result in different frontal areas. This pitch maneuver and the trimming of the desired pitch angles are defined in JC2Sat ACS requirements and is a unique feature of this mission. Another unique feature of the mission is the size of the satellites and their orbit. The small size requires ACS designers to minimize ACS hardware. In JC2Sat, only Sun Sensors, Magnetic Torque Rods and Momentum Wheel are equipped. With the given orbit, it has a long duration of solar eclipse (more than a third of each orbit period). During solar eclipse period, only one measured physical vector - Earth Magnetic Field Induction (EMFI) vector is available to determine the satellite attitude. This paper presents satellite attitude observaibility analysis to show that satellite attitude (3 Euler angles) is observable (with single measured vector ) and can be estimated with a simple, Kalman type, suboptimal filter. The implementation of this filter as well as discussions on analytical and simulation results of JC2Sat attitude determination and control are presented in this article. The overall ACS design of the JC2Sat is also discussed. 1. Research Scientist, Space Technologies, 6767 route de l'Aeroport, St.-Hubert, QC, Canada J3Y 8Y9, contact author : yuri.kim@space.gc.ca Tel.450-926-5116, Fax. 450-926-4695 2.Research Scientist, Space Technologies, 6767 route de l'Aeroport, St-Hubert, QC, Canada J3Y 8Y9 3.Formerly Visiting Fellow at Canadian Space Agency; currently Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada 4.Manager, Space Technologies, 6767 route de l'Aeroport, St-Hubert, QC, Canada J3Y 8Y9
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