Simulation of the Deployment and Orbit Operations of the NPS-SCAT CubeSat

Abstract

To encourage student interest in-space education Stanford and Cal Poly conceptualized a CubeSat in 1999. This standardized picosatellite has a cubic shape of 10 cm and weighs about one kilogram. NPS is now designing CubeSats and a structure to deploy them in-orbit as part of its emphasis on hands-on education. This technical report deals with the simulation of the deployment and orbit operations of the NPS-SCAT CubeSat. With the help of the AGI Satellite Tool Kit software animations are created that show the full mission of the CubeSat beginning with the launch and the deployment from the NPS CubeSat Launcher. The animations are combined into one movie which can be used to visualize the project more easily and clearly. In addition to the animations on-orbit systems operations such as power and communication profiles are analyzed. A MATLAB program uses the calculated data to generate the battery state of charge so it can be determined whether the solar cells are producing enough power for the satellite. For the chosen reference mission the results of the orbital lifetime calculation show that this CubeSat would only stay in orbit for about six months.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA485343

Entities

People

  • Felix Rossberg

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apogees
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Education
  • Electronic Equipment
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Simulations
  • Small Satellites
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Space Debris
  • Space Objects
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Tool Kits
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Computer Vision.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites