College - Author 1
College of Engineering
Department - Author 1
Aerospace Engineering Department
College - Author 2
College of Engineering
Department - Author 2
Electrical Engineering Department
Advisor
Eric Mehiel, College of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Department
Funding Source
Department of Aerospace Engineering, CENG Dean’s Innovation Fund, Paul & Sandi Bonderson, Kim Vorrath, and the Sprague Foundation
Date
10-2025
Abstract/Summary
There are three typical methods used to control the attitude (or orientation) of spacecraft in orbit. They are momentum exchange devices (reaction wheels and control moment gyroscopes), magnetic torquers, and thrusters (both cold and hot gas). The PolySim research group is currently developing a spacecraft attitude dynamics simulator utilizing reaction wheels. The simulator floats on a spherical air bearing and is balanced to accurately simulate the rotational motion of a spacecraft in orbit (not including the orbital motion). As a continuation of that project, we have completed the development of spacecraft attitude simulator using cold gas thrusters to control the altitude of the simulator. With the completion of the Cold Gas Thruster platform, we now have a single axis low friction test bead that can be used to develop other spacecraft attitude control technologies. The goal of this project is to design, develop, manufacture, and test a reaction wheel that can be assembled and characterized by other upper division undergraduate students. The project will require completion of several tasks. First, the mechanical and the electrical systems must be developed and designed. This includes the microcontroller and power system, including motors and batteries. Next, the student will design a feedback control including simulations in Matlab and Simulink. Next, the development of the microcontroller used to implement the control law and all code must be completed. Finally, the full system will be tested with hardware results compared to simulations developed in Matlab and Simulink.
October 1, 2025.
Included in
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/ceng_surp/118