Session
Pre-Conference Posters Session I
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
This paper details the development of a MATLAB and GMAT based power modelling tool for analyzing CubeSat solar power generation. The power model is designed to allow satellite orbit customization, along with a range of attitudes and solar panel configurations, including deployable panels. A graphical user interface was developed to facilitate this customization, with real time representations of both the attitude and geometry being defined by the user. Direct user input to the model can also be used for more complex attitudes or solar panel configurations.
The model has been successfully validated against Thales Alenia Space's “Power Sim” power modelling tool. Future work will include further validation against AGI STK’s Solar Panel tool and against real data from CubeSats, or other simple satellites. It is hoped that this freely available tool, hosted on GitHub (https:/github.com/tometchells/ PowerCubeSat), will prove useful and timesaving for new CubeSat developers.
Developing a Power Modelling Tool for CubeSats
Utah State University, Logan, UT
This paper details the development of a MATLAB and GMAT based power modelling tool for analyzing CubeSat solar power generation. The power model is designed to allow satellite orbit customization, along with a range of attitudes and solar panel configurations, including deployable panels. A graphical user interface was developed to facilitate this customization, with real time representations of both the attitude and geometry being defined by the user. Direct user input to the model can also be used for more complex attitudes or solar panel configurations.
The model has been successfully validated against Thales Alenia Space's “Power Sim” power modelling tool. Future work will include further validation against AGI STK’s Solar Panel tool and against real data from CubeSats, or other simple satellites. It is hoped that this freely available tool, hosted on GitHub (https:/github.com/tometchells/ PowerCubeSat), will prove useful and timesaving for new CubeSat developers.
