This project presents the analysis of ambient space environment effects on a 12U CubeSat designed to monitor space debris at a sun synchronous orbit of 700 km. The micrometeorite and space debris impact fluxes evaluated using STK’s Space Environment and Effects Tool (SEET) show minimum risk with an aluminized mylar thickness of 50 mils. Surface charging analysis using the Space Plasma Interaction System (SPIS) software shows surface potentials magnitudes too low to cause electrical discharges throughout a typical orbit. The magnetic fluxes induced by the magnetorquers are evaluated using the COMSOL Multiphysics software and show no impact to other internal components. The design of a testbed which includes a Helmholtz cage, and a low friction table is also presented.

• 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

• Weeks, Ryan

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 106151
• E-project-042723-124307

Advisor

• Gatsonis, Nikolaos A.

Year

• 2023

Date created

• 2023-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Source

• E-project-042723-124307

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-06-14