Coupled Simulation of Passive Aerodynamic Stabilisation of a Nanosatellite During Orbital Decay

Abstract

Small satellites are opening radical new possibilities for space utilisation, especially in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Due to their compactness, many small satellites have no active attitude control systems. A method for passive stabilisation would be useful to regulate attitude without requiring the mass and volume of powered sensors and actuators. In this paper, passive aerodynamic stabilisation of a 3U nanosatellite is investigated using an in-house coupled orbit-attitude simulation platform. The objective is to evaluate the robustness of satellite stabilisation in the 200-400 km altitude range, including in the presence of a perturbing magnetic torque, and initial spin motion. The results show that at 400 km altitude, aerodynamic stabilisation is not a realistic method for attitude control, but that its potential increases lower in the atmosphere.