ADCS Scheme and In-orbit Results for TZ-1 Satellite

TZ-1 satellite is the first Software Define Satellite, which is developed by Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites and intends to validate software define technology in orbit. TZ-1 satellite is a typical low-cost satellite and equipped with the attitude control components, including sun sensors, magnetometers, magnetic torquers and a momentum wheel. Based on these low-cost attitude control components, a high-reliable attitude control scheme is proposed and the well-designed algorithms provide a good attitude pointing accuracy and proper stability for the satellite, which make the implements of the relative experiments possible. ADCS (Attitude determine and control system) simulations show that the designed rate damping algorithm for large angular velocity cases could de-tumble the satellite perfectly, even if the initial angular velocity is up to 70 deg/s. The sun pointing algorithm is robust and sun angle is always lower than 20 degrees. The nadir pointing algorithm is perfect and the satellite pointing accuracy and stability have been well guaranteed. According to the telemetry data, attitude control system works well, attitude curve changes are consistent with the simulations, and the satellite pointing accuracy and stability are the same with expectations. Attitude control system of TZ-1 components is a low-cost but robust one, which could be used for reference by the following low-cost LEO satellites.