A Testbed for a three dimensional Pico-Sphere Satellite-Simulator(T3Dpilare)

This paper presents the mechanical design, assembly and construction of T3Dpilare. The principle target for this research was to design and built a three-axis floating-satellite simulator with six degree of freedom which is placed in a sphere for free movement. This three axis float-sat will be used to test the algorithms for three dimensional attitude control of satellites on earth. The simulator is named as `T3Dpilare'. T3Dpilare is quite unique in its design, principle and mode of operation. It is a compact satellite simulator for the students and researchers. It offers a simple platform for on-ground testing of satellites and their subsystems in a quite frictionless environment to simulate the effect of zero gravity in the space.