Nanosatellite attitude air bearing system using variable structure control

A real time, three axis magnetic field simulator for nanosatellites, developed using only commercial off the shelf components, is described in the paper. It is a complete and independent system to be used for the ground testing of nanosatellites, allowing automated magnetic attitude control systems to be verified. The main aim of this simulator is to reproduce magnetic field conditions in orbit with low cost mechanical and electronic designs. The system is capable of creating an arbitrarily-oriented magnetic field on request for ground testing of 1U CubeSats or 3U CubeSats