This work evaluated the power, propulsion, and telecommunications subsystems for CubeSats to support two missions in low earth orbit; a Rendezvous (formation flying) mission and a mission to explore extreme low earth orbit. After selecting a baseline set of hardware for each spacecraft, trade studies were performed to evaluate options. Chemical and electric propulsion options for both primary and attitude control were considered. Thrusters for attitude control were compared with reaction wheels and performance compared for both required maneuvers and disturbance torque compensation. Power subsystem trades considered different solar arrays and battery options. Telecommunication subsystem trades compared data link budgets for different orbit inclinations and receiving station networks.

• 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

• Escalante-Hurtado, Matthew
• Nichols, Jacob Joseph
• Mancinelli, Lucas James
• Abad, Matias Francisco Campos
• Kant, Alexander Burgess
• Knodler, Marcus James
• Crockett, Robert Charles

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-032218-195004

Award

• Provost's MQP Award

Advisor

• Blandino, John J.

Year

• 2018

Date created

• 2018-03-22

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Aerospace Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-01-19