CBL - Campus del Baix Llobregat

Projecte llegit

Títol: The analysis and modelling of jitter in small satellites

Estudiants que han llegit aquest projecte:

Director/a: GIL PONS, PILAR

Departament: FIS

Títol: The analysis and modelling of jitter in small satellites

Data inici oferta: 03-02-2025     Data finalització oferta: 03-10-2025


Estudis d'assignació del projecte:
    MU AEROSPACE S&T 21
Tipus: Individual
 
Lloc de realització: EETAC
 
Segon director/a (UPC): GUTIÉRREZ CABELLO, JORDI
 
Paraules clau:
PhotSat, Jitter, Microvibrations, Mathematics, Model, Aerospace, Simulations, Long Exposure Images, Optics, Compressibility, Inertia Tensor
 
Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
Environmental perturbations and onboard-component disturbances may cause satellite jitter, that is, small-amplitude fast movements that cause line-of-sight pointing errors and affect the quality of satellite images. Our work is highly relevant in the context of designing small satellites, particularly for PhotSat, a 16-unit CubeSat being developed and constructed under the leadership of researchers from the Catalan Institute of Space Studies (IEEC). PhotSat is expected to conduct astronomical observations and, in particular, detect transient objects. This means that accurate pointing is crucial for PhotSat to meet its goals. A team of researchers and students from UPC is collaborating on the design of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS).
The goal of this project was to compile the line-of-sight jitter analysis information on historical satellites, focusing on small satellites, quantify typical pointing errors due to jitter, and review the state-of-the-art jitter models. We used SolidWorks modelling results for resonance frequencies as inputs to build a simple jitter model. With it, we aimed to simulate jitter perturbations on the optical payload, understanding how images might be affected (quality, size, compressibility).
We used mathematical models and data from real satellite components to explore the direct effects of jitter (exported forces and torques) and secondary effects, such as long-exposure image degradation, which we simulated. Furthermore, we analysed how the performance of transient detection techniques is affected when the satellites suffer from jitter. We concluded that, without proper jitter mitigation, PhotSat may suffer a loss of pixel-level precision, potentially leading to the failure to detect faint stars. Once Photsat (or another small satellite) is built, our model's free parameters may be tested and refined, providing a valuable reference for the design of future CubeSats.
 
Overview (resum en anglès):
Environmental perturbations and onboard-component disturbances may cause satellite jitter, that is, small amplitude fast movements that cause line-of-sight pointing errors and affect the quality of satellite images.

We aim to compile the line-of-sight jitter analysis information on historical satellites (focusing on small satellites) quantify typical pointing errors due to jitter, and review the state-of-the-art jitter models. We will use SolidWorks modelling results for resonance frequencies as inputs to build a simple jitter model. With it, we will be able to simulate, with Python, jitter perturbations on the optical payload, understanding how images might be affected (quality, size, ratio of compression).

Our work is very relevant in the context of the design of PhotSat, a 16-unit CubeSat that is being designed and constructed under the leadership of researchers from the Catalan Institute of Space Studies (IEEC). A team of researchers and students from UPC is collaborating on the design of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS). Once Photsat is built, our model's free parameters may be tested and refined, providing a useful reference for the design of future CubeSats.

© CBLTIC Campus del Baix Llobregat - UPC