Simulation of thermal distribution system of microsatellite equipped with FMC actuators

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to simulate the thermal performance of fluidic momentum controller (FMC) actuators in two case, with and without thermal distribution system on a three-axis configuration of FMC actuators to an orbital period of satellite. The results show the effectiveness of using a storage with FMC actuators. Design/methodology/approach One of the challenges during a satellite’s orbital mission is unpredictable external temperature perturbations. This system used as a collaborative thermal subsystem for microsatellite temperature passive control. The operating principles of the system are that each fluid rings are used in a microsatellite surface with pumps to stabilize the satellite. All fluid rings are connected to the satellite thermal distribution system (storage). Findings Simulation results show that with using of thermal distribution system, damping of satellite different surfaces temperature is rapidly possible to the event of thermal disturbances. Practical implications Numerical simulation is obtained by ANSYS Fluent software and pressure-velocity coupling is SIMPLE method and spatial discretization is second order accurate and first order in time, viscous model is k-e. In this regard, a solver algorithm is also developed. Originality/value In space research fields about FMC application as actuators to satellite system design, main goal is to research about role of this system to attitude and determination control system (ADCS) of satellites, and no study is performed on its role to satellite temperature damping. This study is exclusively simulated thermal distribution system (includes a storage and its connections) of a microsatellite equipped with FMC actuators. The idea of using a storage for FMC actuators is the innovative step of this research.