Design, build, and test a CubeSat attitude control system (ACS) testbed that will allow Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) CubeSats to test their ACS functionality.
The primary objective is to design, build, and test a CubeSat ACS testbed in order to provide technology to buy down risk for GSFC CubeSat missions. The testbed will look to provide the following capabilities:
- Accommodation for CubeSats ranging in size from 1U to 6U
- Three axis movement to allow for phasing demonstration
- Light source movement to demonstrate system response to sun sensor inputs
- Dipole measurement to quantify torque capability
- Torque measurement to quantify reaction wheel capability
- Real time data and video capture
The goal of this system will be to test functionality of the ACS and not to develop a detailed performance profile. The main attractiveness is for the engineer to be able to test phasing of different satellite modes. Demonstrating that the satellite responds as expected to both software commands and external inputs is valuable to increasing confidence in the design.More »
The testbed will provide an option for NASA funded CubeSat missions to perform more comprehensive tests on their ACS system and reduce the level of risk currently being taken by performing limited tests and relying heavily on mathematical predictions. The reduction in risk would further increase the probability of success for these missions.
The testbed will provide an option for NASA unfunded and planned CubeSat missions to consider performing more comprehensive tests on their ACS system and reduce the level of risk currently being taken by performing limited tests and relying heavily on mathematical predictions. The reduction in risk would further increase the probability of success for these missions.
Commercial CubeSat missions could also utilize the testbed for their ACS system testing needs and help increase their probability of success.
Other government agencies would also be able to utilize the testbed for their CubeSat missions and help increase their probably of success.More »
|Organizations Performing Work||Role||Type||Location|
|Wallops Flight Facility (WFF)||Lead Organization||NASA Facility||Wallops Island, VA|