Design of a flatsat for the AlbaSat mission

This thesis presents the design of a FlatSat for the AlbaSat mission. AlbaSat is a 2U CubeSat with four mission objectives: (1) to collect in-situ measurements of the sub-mm space debris environment in LEO, (2) to study the micro-vibration environment on the satellite throughout different mission phases, (3) to do orbit and attitude determination through laser ranging; (4) to investigate alternative systems for possible Satellite Quantum Communication applications on nanosatellites. Firstly, an overview of CubeSats state of art and of the AlbaSat mission is provided, illustrating the main mission objectives and the importance of testing and verifying the satellite performance before launch using, for instance, FlatSat. Subsequently, the objectives of the FlatSat in the AlbaSat mission are defined. These objectives include creating a test and verification platform to evaluate the satellite's functionalities, verifying the proper interaction between subsystems, and achieving performance and reliability requirements. The design of the FlatSat is described in detail, including component selection, functional architecture, subsystem arrangement, and interfaces between them. Aspects such as power supply, attitude control, data acquisition, and communication are considered. Special attention is given to subsystem integration to ensure proper connection and interaction. The tests programmed on the FlatSat are presented, including functional tests, integration tests, and communication tests. In addition, the Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC) of the satellite components is addressed. Aspects related to electromagnetic interference and protective measures are analyzed to ensure immunity to external electromagnetic disturbances and non-interference with other systems or devices. The thesis is developed in the framework of the Alba CubeSat project, which participate to the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Fly Your Satellite! – design booster program. The thesis provides the guidelines to assembly and integrate and test the FlatSat of AlbaSat, contributing to the development of the mission. The results and experiences gained from this research can be applied to future satellite development projects.