Attitude Control on the "Max Valier" Student Satellite: a Project by High School Students

Paper number

IAC-12,E1,2,2,x14870

Author

Mrs. Sandra Zuccaro, Max Valier Technical High School, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Ferdinand Heidegger, Max Valier Technical High School, Italy

Coauthor

Mr. Carlos Burnett, OHB System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Willem Bode, OHB System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Prof. Indulis Kalnins, Hochschule Bremen, Germany

Year

2012

Abstract

The "Max Valier“  student satellite is being developed by two High Schools in South Tyrol, Italy,
with the support of OHB System AG in Bremen, Germany. The satellite is equipped with solar cells on only one side, 
thus requiring an active attitude control.

To this end, the satellite employs four sensors (a coarse sun sensor, a fine sun sensor, a magnetic field sensor,
and a star camera), and four actuators (three magnetic torquers and one momentum wheel).

In this paper, we present sensor interface circuits and actuator drive electronics developed by High School teachers
and students. In addition, we present an ADCS strategy developed at Max Valier High School which performs the 
following tasks: calculation of the sun and magnetic field vectors, sun acquisition, inertial stabilization of sun 
pointing using the momentum wheel, and a slow rotation of the satellite about the inertial axis.

To keep the algorithms simple, within the reach of High School students, the torques to control the sun pointing 
attitude are generated using only the magnetic torquers and all control 
algorithms are of ON-OFF type. With these simplifications, it is not possible to 
generate torques in arbitrary direction. Rather, out of the 26 nonzero possible torques which can be generated 
with three torquers in ON-OFF mode, we choose the one with the smallest angular deviation from 
the required torque. The angular rate about the inertially stabilized axis is controlled by varying the 
momentum wheel's speed at high deviations from the setpoint value. Otherwise, only the magnetic torquers are used.

The performance of these algorithms is tested via numerical simulations. It turns out that this attitude control 
strategy, in spite of being simple, is fast and precise enough for our student satellite.

The novelty of the presented results is given by the fact that the algorithms can be understood and implemented 
by High School students who have successfully mastered their Physics curriculum, thus providing an introduction to 
an important field of space technology at a young age.

Abstract document

IAC-12,E1,2,2,x14870.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-12,E1,2,2,x14870.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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