Attitude determination for the pico-satellite uwe-2

Abstract: Modern miniaturization technologies enable the realization of very small satellites at masses below 1kg, nevertheless limited attitude determination and actuator performances raise challenging control problems. Specific attitude determination aspects discussed at the example of UWE (University of Wuerzburg Experimental satellite), a standardized pico-satellite platform related to technology demonstration and space research. UWE-1 is in orbit since October 2005 and successfully completed its mission on telecommunication experiments. The successor satellite UWE-2 is focusing on an advanced Attitude Determination System (ADS) based on miniature sensors. This paper will address implementation details for the ADS, presenting in particular results from the performance evaluations in simulations and tests