A novel simulator for measuring the performance of nanosatellite's attitude control system

This paper presents the design approach, challenges faced, and solutions implemented for a novel spacecraft simulator for measuring the performance of nanosatellite's attitude control system. The simulator comprises of an air bearing table, a two axes high precision rate table, a Helmholtz cage and a sun simulator. The simulator was used to test the attitude control system performance of VELOX-II nanosatellite experimentally. VELOX-II is Nanyang Technological University's second nanosatellite with an experimental communication system as a primary payload. It has been successfully launched and operated onboard Indian Space Research Organisation's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C29).