The primary objective of this project was to develop a method by which future teams can perform more complete thermal analysis of a CubeSat. To achieve this, I sought to create a model of the internal components of a typical CubeSat, with sufficient fidelity to understand the effects of various parameters on the thermal state, and to integrate that internal model with the thermal analysis of the external spacecraft structure. Results include a thermal model of a CubeSat built with finite element software and simulations using the model that expose the primary heat sources and illustrate the effects of key parameters on the temperature distribution. Recommendations include steps for using the model in thermal analysis process and suggestions for refining it to improve its predictions.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Peake, Natasha Vared

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-110414-211627

Advisor

• Blandino, John J.

Year

• 2014

Date created

• 2014-11-04

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright