Attitude Dynamics and Control of a 3U CubeSat with Electrolysis Propulsion

Electrolysis propulsion systems at the CubeSat scale combine the best elements of liquid chemical and electric propulsion systems to create a system that is well-suited for this scale, providing over 800 m/s V while conforming to standard CubeSat specifications. The operations concept for the proposed spacecraft architecture is based on passive spin stabilization, and several factors that determine the required spin rate are investigated. Actuation strategies for achieving this spin through the use of magnetic torquers are discussed. Issues involving the dynamics of a spinning 3U mission, such as gravity gradient torques, shifts in the center of mass due to propellant consumption, and precession of the spacecraft are analyzed. Synergistic design of the propulsion subsystem and the attitudecontrol concept leads to an efficient, low-risk, high-performance architecture.