OreSat Attitude Control—Open-Source Magnetorquers and Helmholtz Cage

Poster Image
Event poster; details follow in description
Poster Session
A
Poster Number
07
Project Author(s)
Cassandra Blum
Institution
Portland Community College
Project Description

OreSat is the amateur nanosatellite branch of the Portland State Aerospace Society (PSAS)—an interdisciplinary group of students, industry professionals, and aerospace enthusiasts based out of Portland State University. Future OreSat missions, such as the Cirrus Flux Camera and OreSat Live, involve imaging the Earth’s surface and atmosphere. Pointing is crucial for the cameras to capture their intended target, creating a need for precision attitude determination and control for the satellite while in low-Earth orbit. An open-source magnetorquers design was utilized and prototyped for use in a 2U cube satellite. A functional Helmholtz Cage was designed and constructed to allow for testing of units in a magnetic field similar to that in LEO.