Satellite Subsystems » Mechanical » Stabilization

Being a microsatellite (less then 20 kg) there is a stringent amount of space and power output for any active stabilisation system such as thrusters or inertia wheels. BLUEsat uses passive stabilisation -- a crude but effective means that provides proper alignment of the body velocity vector to the earth’s magnetic field vector. This method consists of 4 magnets orientated in the Z-axis to provide alignment whilst the satellite uses “solar photon push” on 4 antenna blades (solar radiation pressure torque) in order to spin stabilise. Hysteresis rods aligned in the X-Y plane damp the torque and any conflicting motion about the magnetic field lines.

• Top Antenna represents Z-axis
• Four antenna blades with inner concave surfaces white and outer concave surfaces black in order to 'spin' the satellite about the Z-axis (photons from the sun hitting the blades and reflecting off apply a tiny force to them; black sides absorb more while white sides reflect more, producing a resultant torque)
• Four aligned bar magnets located at furthest position from Z-axis for maximum torque
• Hysteresis rods in X-Y plane to dampen deviations of Z-axis from magnetic field

	Author: Unknown © The Author, the BLUEsat project or UNSW. All rights reserved. Last Modified: August 28 2005 10:43:58.