Attitude determination and control suitable for micro-spacecraft

The Center for AeroSpace Technology (CAST) at Weber State University, and One Stop Satellite Solutions Inc. (OSSS), in partnership with the United States Air Force Academy, has been developing the JAWSAT (Joint Air Force Academy Weber Satellite) for several years. It is currently manifest for launch January 2000 on the maiden flight of a converted minuteman rocket. CAST proposes using excess capabilities of the JAWSAT mission to demonstrate low-cost three-axis attitude determination and control. JAWSAT's two-year mission will be to demonstrate the feasibility of launching multiple satellites from one low-cost carrier and to test low-cost microsat missions with advanced capabilities. JAWSAT will employ an ensemble of newly developed space hardware designed specifically for micro-satellite applications. This hardware includes three-axis attitude determination and control with diverse sensors and actuators, multi-band and multi-form communications, advanced structural design and fabrication, extensive software, and advanced video imaging.