SNAP-1 is a low-cost nanosatellite build by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL), it is amongst other objectives a technology demonstrator for 3-axis stabilisation and orbit control for a future constellation of small satellites during formation flying. The satellite uses a single miniature Ymomentum wheel, 3-axis magnetorquer rods and a single butane gas thruster to ensure a nominal nadirpo...

The ³Cat-3/MOTS (3: Cube, Cat: Catalunya, 3: 3rd CubeSat mission/Missió Observació Terra Satèl·lit) mission is a joint initiative between the Institut Cartogràfic i Geològic de Catalunya (ICGC) and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya-BarcelonaTech (UPC) to foster innovative Earth Observation (EO) techniques based on data fusion of Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) ...

This paper develops a fault tolerant attitude controller for next generation nanosatellites. The proposed fault tolerant attitude control algorithms in this study are based on first order and high order sliding mode control theory as well as fuzzy logic systems to achieve low cost and real time autonomy. A locally asymptotically stable adaptive fuzzy first order sliding mode controller is chose...

This paper addresses the possibility of reconstructing motion relative to center mass a low Earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellite CubeSat 3U standard using satellite position measurements (Two-Line Element Set (TLE)). kind task needs be performed in case where it is not possible establish radio communication with after launched into orbit. Therefore, important for developers develop some understandin...

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 th...

The growing population of space debris poses an increasing threat to spacecraft operating in low Earth orbit. By taking advantage of aerodynamic drag, a gossamer sail can be used to dramatically reduce the time it will take for a satellite to deorbit. In addition to rapid deorbit time, a gossamer sail also offers the capability of stabilizing a satellite’s attitude. The deployment system utiliz...

Progress within nanosatellite systems development makes niche commercial Earth observing missions feasible; however, despite advances in demonstrated data rates, these systems will remain downlink limited able to capture more data than can be returned to the ground cost-effectively in traditional raw or near-raw forms. The embedding of existing ground-based image processing algorithms into onbo...