Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Madison Gleydura, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Madison Gleydura
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. William MacKunis
Abstract
PocketQubes, a disruptive and low-cost class of nano satellites have recently exploded in popularity for academic research, hardware demonstration, and Internet of Things connectivity. Current attitude control systems on these sats include bulky reaction wheels with magnetorquers, with many developers choosing to fly without control systems to maximize payload volume. By developing an open-source control system that utilizes the otherwise unused space within the solar panel boards, an acceptable amount of torque can be generated to spin stabilize and point a PocketQube. Using software to generate dimensions for coils allows them to be tuned to maximize magnetic moment, while also considering power consumption. Preliminary one-dimensional numerical simulation results suggest these coils are viable options for PocketQube control systems and are comparable to existing magnetorquers. Additional testing including finite element analyses and a hardware demonstration have been planned to validate these results in the coming weeks. Additionally, a three-dimensional control system using nonlinear nutation damping and a linear proportional-derivative controller to detumble and align the PocketQube with the external magnetic field lines will be designed. Verifying and validating the results of this prototype would provide a control system developers can be easily tailored to work with their existing satellites.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Pico-torQuer: Magnetorquer-only Attitude Control for a 1P PocketQube using PCB-Embedded Coils
PocketQubes, a disruptive and low-cost class of nano satellites have recently exploded in popularity for academic research, hardware demonstration, and Internet of Things connectivity. Current attitude control systems on these sats include bulky reaction wheels with magnetorquers, with many developers choosing to fly without control systems to maximize payload volume. By developing an open-source control system that utilizes the otherwise unused space within the solar panel boards, an acceptable amount of torque can be generated to spin stabilize and point a PocketQube. Using software to generate dimensions for coils allows them to be tuned to maximize magnetic moment, while also considering power consumption. Preliminary one-dimensional numerical simulation results suggest these coils are viable options for PocketQube control systems and are comparable to existing magnetorquers. Additional testing including finite element analyses and a hardware demonstration have been planned to validate these results in the coming weeks. Additionally, a three-dimensional control system using nonlinear nutation damping and a linear proportional-derivative controller to detumble and align the PocketQube with the external magnetic field lines will be designed. Verifying and validating the results of this prototype would provide a control system developers can be easily tailored to work with their existing satellites.