Current Mission: ASTREC-I
Executive Summary:
The objective of the ASTREC-I mission is to demonstrate the possibility of full three-axis
attitude control with high slew rates for pico-satellites. This will be accomplished by
validating a black-boxed attitude actuation system that consists of four single gimbal
control momentum gyroscope (SGCMG) in a pyramidal configuration to provide full
three-axis attitude control. This report discusses the available attitude actuator options
and presents a justification for the selection of a control moment gyro (CMG).
Additionally, the report describes the satellite architecture, subsystems, and mission
plan necessary to deliver, support, and validate this attitude control system.
This design can later be scaled to larger satellites (e.g., nano- and micro-classes) which
will have significant utility in DoDŐs Operational Responsive Space (ORS), and future
small satellite missions in general. On-orbit validation of this design is vital for its
acceptance by the space community as a viable attitude control actuator for small
satellites. Additionally, a black-boxed design concept provides quick integration of the
actuator in any satellite configuration, potentially reducing the mission development
costs.