Development of a Magnetic Torquer for Nanosatellites Based on Nanocrystalline Materials

• Grant number: 19/06174-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Systems
• Principal Investigator: Luiz de Siqueira Martins Filho
• Grantee: Luiz de Siqueira Martins Filho
• Host Institution: Centro de Engenharia, Modelagem e Ciências Sociais Aplicadas (CECS). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Diego Paolo Ferruzzo Correa ; Eduardo dos Santos Ferreira ; Eduardo Guéron ; Leandro Baroni

Abstract

This project deals with the development of magnetic torque rod-type actuators for the attitude control of small size satellites. The proposal refers to the study of the application of nanocrystalline materials in the constitution of the core of the rod, and to the analysis of the performance in relation to criteria of interest of applications in nanosatellites, especially in the case of Cubesats. Nanosatellite projects impose important requirements in terms of optimization and miniaturization of their systems and devices because of reduced space availability and vehicle mass limitation. Other aspects are also important, such as energy consumption, which must be shared with other embedded systems, the low cost that is fundamental to the viability of scientific and academic missions and, of course, the performance adequate to the requirements of precision and positioning stability and satellite pointing. In addition to this context, the development of new magnetic torque rod-type actuators still requires performance improvements in term of linearity of response and reduction of produced residual torques. The project also comprises a structure for testing and qualification of the devices, consisting mainly of a Helmholtz cage, experimental arrangements and instrumentation for measuring the magnetic field, produced torques and other characteristics of the system. (AU)