Date of Award

12-2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Rees Fullmer

Committee

Rees Fullmer

Committee

David Geller

Committee

Aaron Katz

Abstract

Attitude control of a satellite is required for the pointing of communications antennas and other instruments. For this reason, a control algorithm capable of precision pointing is important. Because the process of sending a satellite into space is time consuming and costly, ground-based methods of testing are paramount. A simulator is a low-cost, groundbased system made to mimic the conditions of a weightless satellite in space. The simulator used in this project controls attitude through applying torque to reaction wheels. The objective of this project is to derive and test a control algorithm for the attitude control of a satellite simulator.

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