An Air-Levitated Testbed for Flux Pinning Interactions at the Nanosatellite Scale

Magnetic flux pinning interactions have been recently demonstrated as viable mechanisms in modular spacecraft reconfiguration maneuvers. However, in order to develop a robust testing program for interactions, a low-cost testing environment is necessary to simulate the microgravity environment in which this technology will ultimately perform. The FloatCube testbed we have developed to support this effort is built around uniform free-floating test vehicles with a set of planar air bearings that provide two translational and one rotational degree of freedom. The vehicles allow for rapid implementation of new experiments by providing a standard levitating base segment and optional power, communications, and control components to support experimental actuator and sensor arrangements. The system is also designed to support current and future flight missions and microgravity tests by mounting completed nanosatellites or nanosat-sized modules on individual vehicles capable of operating independently or in formation in concert with a computer interface. This paper presents the design and implementation of the FloatCube system, ongoing work with experimental verification, and future work expected to improve the testbed and verify mission hardware.