Session
Session VII: University Programs
Abstract
The “Develop Inertial Spin Created On-orbit (DISCO)” magnetic spin-rate controller was designed to maintain a 5°/second spin-rate for the three-year mission of the STARSHINE 4 microsatellite. This subsystem was designed, built, and tested by University of North Dakota electrical engineering students, with support from Broad Reach Engineering, an aerospace hardware development firm. The primary mission of STARSHINE, or the Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Networking Experiment, is to learn about orbit degradation caused by atmospheric response to solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. This is accomplished by tracking orbit times using a highly-visible satellite that has a known ballistic coefficient. On deployment, the satellite is placed into a spinning motion, which allows sunlight to be reflected to Earth from any of the 1,000 high-polished mirrors placed on its spherical surface. In this manner, the blinking satellite can be tracked with the naked eye by space enthusiasts from around the world. Unfortunately, STARSHINE satellites 1, 2, and 3 each stopped blinking after approximately three months in orbit once the spin-rate was depleted through a combination of atmospheric drag and satellite hysteresis, which thereby limited satellite tracking to radar or laser systems. For the next STARSHINE mission, an active controller consisting of three spin-rate sensors, a magnetometer, and three torque rods will maintain spin throughout the mission life, from deployment to reentry. Once each day, the system will wake up to measure the satellite’s spin-rate and to increase it, if necessary. The DISCO system will increase the useful lifespan of the STARSHINE 4/5 mission by making STARSHINE 4 visible to the naked eye throughout its three-year mission. The design of electronic, software, and mechanical subsystems is described, along with the development of ground test equipment for the verification of requirements. DISCO hardware was delivered to the system integrator in mid-2005, and it is anticipated that STARSHINE 4/5, with the custom spin-rate controller installed in STARSHINE 4, will be launched sometime in 2007 or 2008.
Presentation Slides
DISCO – Develop Inertial Spin Created On-orbit: A Magnetic Spin-Rate Controller for STARSHINE 4
The “Develop Inertial Spin Created On-orbit (DISCO)” magnetic spin-rate controller was designed to maintain a 5°/second spin-rate for the three-year mission of the STARSHINE 4 microsatellite. This subsystem was designed, built, and tested by University of North Dakota electrical engineering students, with support from Broad Reach Engineering, an aerospace hardware development firm. The primary mission of STARSHINE, or the Student Tracked Atmospheric Research Satellite for Heuristic International Networking Experiment, is to learn about orbit degradation caused by atmospheric response to solar extreme ultraviolet radiation. This is accomplished by tracking orbit times using a highly-visible satellite that has a known ballistic coefficient. On deployment, the satellite is placed into a spinning motion, which allows sunlight to be reflected to Earth from any of the 1,000 high-polished mirrors placed on its spherical surface. In this manner, the blinking satellite can be tracked with the naked eye by space enthusiasts from around the world. Unfortunately, STARSHINE satellites 1, 2, and 3 each stopped blinking after approximately three months in orbit once the spin-rate was depleted through a combination of atmospheric drag and satellite hysteresis, which thereby limited satellite tracking to radar or laser systems. For the next STARSHINE mission, an active controller consisting of three spin-rate sensors, a magnetometer, and three torque rods will maintain spin throughout the mission life, from deployment to reentry. Once each day, the system will wake up to measure the satellite’s spin-rate and to increase it, if necessary. The DISCO system will increase the useful lifespan of the STARSHINE 4/5 mission by making STARSHINE 4 visible to the naked eye throughout its three-year mission. The design of electronic, software, and mechanical subsystems is described, along with the development of ground test equipment for the verification of requirements. DISCO hardware was delivered to the system integrator in mid-2005, and it is anticipated that STARSHINE 4/5, with the custom spin-rate controller installed in STARSHINE 4, will be launched sometime in 2007 or 2008.
