Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data

A detumbling algorithm is developed to yield three-axis magnetic stabilization of a CubeSat deployed with unknown RAAN, orbit phase angle, inclination, attitude, and angular rate. Data from a three-axis magnetometer are the only input to determine both the control torque and the angular rate of the...

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Main Authors: Stefano Carletta, Paolo Teofilatto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2018-01-01
Series:International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9768475
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author Stefano Carletta
Paolo Teofilatto
author_facet Stefano Carletta
Paolo Teofilatto
author_sort Stefano Carletta
collection DOAJ
description A detumbling algorithm is developed to yield three-axis magnetic stabilization of a CubeSat deployed with unknown RAAN, orbit phase angle, inclination, attitude, and angular rate. Data from a three-axis magnetometer are the only input to determine both the control torque and the angular rate of the spacecraft. The algorithm is designed to produce a magnetic dipole moment which is constantly orthogonal to the geomagnetic field vector, independently of both the attitude and the angular rate of the rigid spacecraft. The angular rates are calculated in real time from magnetometer data, and the use of a second-order low-pass filter allows to rapidly reduce the measurement error within ±0.2 deg/sec. Numerical validation of the algorithm is performed, and a variety of feasible scenarios is simulated assuming the CubeSat to operate in low Earth orbit. The robustness of the algorithm, with respect to unknown deployment conditions, different sampling rates, and uncertainties on the moments of inertia of the CubeSat, is verified.
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publishDate 2018-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-ca27b36d77b9445ca765395e2f3bf0352025-08-20T02:20:01ZengWileyInternational Journal of Aerospace Engineering1687-59661687-59742018-01-01201810.1155/2018/97684759768475Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer DataStefano Carletta0Paolo Teofilatto1School of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138 Rome, ItalySchool of Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Salaria 851, 00138 Rome, ItalyA detumbling algorithm is developed to yield three-axis magnetic stabilization of a CubeSat deployed with unknown RAAN, orbit phase angle, inclination, attitude, and angular rate. Data from a three-axis magnetometer are the only input to determine both the control torque and the angular rate of the spacecraft. The algorithm is designed to produce a magnetic dipole moment which is constantly orthogonal to the geomagnetic field vector, independently of both the attitude and the angular rate of the rigid spacecraft. The angular rates are calculated in real time from magnetometer data, and the use of a second-order low-pass filter allows to rapidly reduce the measurement error within ±0.2 deg/sec. Numerical validation of the algorithm is performed, and a variety of feasible scenarios is simulated assuming the CubeSat to operate in low Earth orbit. The robustness of the algorithm, with respect to unknown deployment conditions, different sampling rates, and uncertainties on the moments of inertia of the CubeSat, is verified.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9768475
spellingShingle Stefano Carletta
Paolo Teofilatto
Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
title Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
title_full Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
title_fullStr Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
title_full_unstemmed Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
title_short Design and Numerical Validation of an Algorithm for the Detumbling and Angular Rate Determination of a CubeSat Using Only Three-Axis Magnetometer Data
title_sort design and numerical validation of an algorithm for the detumbling and angular rate determination of a cubesat using only three axis magnetometer data
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2018/9768475
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AT paoloteofilatto designandnumericalvalidationofanalgorithmforthedetumblingandangularratedeterminationofacubesatusingonlythreeaxismagnetometerdata