Nano-Satellite Passive Attitude Stabilization Systems Design by Orbital Environment Modeling and Simulation

Abstract

Passive attitude stabilization techniques such as G ravity Gradient stabilization, Passive Magnetic Stabilization, and Aerodynamic stabilizati on in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are effective and relatively simple methods to control the attitude of small satellites and provide basic pointing control. The design of such stabiliz ation systems is achievable using a high fidelity simulation of all major environmental effe cts of the desired orbit to study the onorbit behavior and the effectiveness of the stabili ty system in overcoming the disturbance torques. The Attitude Propagator described in this paper was developed to study earthorbiting nano-satellites and includes models for th e orbit parameters, gravity gradient torque, aerodynamic torque, magnetic torque, and magnetic hysteresis material behavior for angular rotation damping. The implementation of the Orbital Environment Simulator is described, followed by analysis and verification of the simulation accuracy using collected on-orbit data of passively stabilized satellites. F inally, the Passive Magnetic Stabilization system of KySat-1, a one-unit CubeSat designed by Kentucky Space, is described in detail with the corresponding simulation results from the Orbital Environment Simulator.