DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2012.223
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/903
Date of Award
12-2012
Degree Name
MS in Aerospace Engineering
Department/Program
Aerospace Engineering
Advisor
Jordi Puig-Suari
Abstract
Small satellites, and CubeSats in particular, have quickly become a hot topic in the aerospace industry. Attitude determination is currently one of the most intense areas of development for these miniaturized systems and future Cal Poly satellite missions will depend heavily on magnetometers. In order to utilize magnetometers as a viable source of attitude knowledge, precise calibration is required to ensure the greatest accuracy achievable. This paper outlines a procedure for calibrating and testing magnetometers on the next generation of Cal Poly CubeSates, utilizing a Helmholtz cage to simulate any desired orbital magnetic field that would be experienced by a spacecraft around Earth, as well as investigation of magnetic interference as a result of on-board electrical activity.