This project presents the mechanical design and orbital, thermal and magnetic interference analysis for two Cube Satellites (CubeSats) that feature onboard propulsion. The four-unit (4U) CubeSat is designed for flight at altitudes below 250 km. The 16U CubeSat is designed to raise its orbit to altitudes above 500 km. SolidWorks is used for the mechanical design of the CubeSats including all subsystems. Orbital decay analysis with Systems Tool Kit shows that both CubeSats have compliant lifetimes. Thermal analysis with COMSOL using de-featured design models of the CubeSats and unsteady heat loads expected during the orbits, shows that component temperatures are close to tolerances. COMSOL is used for a preliminary assessment of potential magnetic interference by candidate magnetic torquers.

• 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

• Lopez, Caitlin Erin
• Bograd, Nicholas A
• Jacobson, Gregory Samuel
• Peters, Jackson Noah
• Kroyak, Patrick J

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032018-150428

Advisor

• Gatsonis, Nikolaos A.

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-03-20

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright