College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Aerospace Engineering Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Aerospace Engineering
Date
6-2011
Primary Advisor
Jordi Puig-Suari, College of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Department
Abstract/Summary
Due to inconsistencies found in the on-orbit thermal data from the CubeSat CP3 satellite between 2007 and 2011, further analysis is performed on a larger number of data from August 2010 through April 2011, aiming to find an explanation for the overall increasing measured temperatures and shortening peak periods. Therefore, the satellite power data as well as orbital anomalies are analyzed leading to the conclusion that the satellite was temporarily (January – March 2011) orbiting with significantly increased sun exposure causing the higher temperatures. The shortened temperature peak periods are explained by alternating albedo values as the main influence in temperature changes. Typical thermal coefficients for anodized aluminum of the non-solar cell area of the spacecraft are found by performing basic thermal calculations using the critical temperature data.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/aerosp/46