In order to test the satellite’s attitude control system it is important to establish an attitude control system test bed facility

1. As a part of KufaSat Nanosatellite project and in order to test the
satellite’s attitude control system it is important to establish an
attitude control system test bed facility.
The goal of testing the attitude determination and control system of a
satellite in a laboratory environment are to validate that the system will
work as it was designed to.
CUBESAT TEST BED
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

2. A magnetic field simulator
(Helmholtz cage with three computerized DC power supply and controller)
Air bearing platform
Sun simulator
The test bed consists of :
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3. A Helmholtz coil is a device for producing a region of nearly
uniform magnetic field. It consists of two solenoid electromagnets
on the same axis
A magnetic field simulator
It can be achieved by using Helmholtz cage
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

4. The term Helmholtz cage refers to a three orthogonal axes
Helmholtz coil system for controlling magnetic fields
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

5. Helmholtz cage for magnetic field generation
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

6. An air bearing is a non-contacting system where a gas film
(typically air) acts as the lubricant that separates the two
surfaces in relative motion.
Basically, air bearings use a thin film of pressurized air to
support a load.
Air Bearing
Air bearing platform
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

7. There are two basic types of air bearings:
Types of air bearing technology
Aerodynamic : requiring relative motion to generate air film.
Aerostatic : requiring an external pressure source to generate air
film.
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8. • Hard coated aluminum
• Steel, stainless steel
• Brass/bronze
• Glass
• Nickel
• Invar
Materials
The materials shown below have been used as air bearing
components and surfaces.
• Macor
• PEEK
• Ceramic
• Graphite
• Carbon
• Granite
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

9. Hemisphere and cup, main components of the spherical air-bearing
Spherical air bearing can be achieved by suspending a
hemisphere in a cup with a constant supply of air, which
allows the hemisphere freedom of motion within the cup .
Spherical air bearing
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

10. Spherical aerostatic thrust pad bearing
The flow from the inlet is split into two, resulting in an
upward flow (region 1) and downward flow (region 2).
Spherical air bearing
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

11. The spherical air bearing shown in the this diagram demonstrates
the simplicity of the configuration while at the same time, providing
continuous yaw and limited pitch and roll rotation.
Spherical air bearing
Spherical air bearings allow for complete freedom of rotation
without external torque along one axis, and limited freedom of
rotation along the other two axes.
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

12. Spherical air bearing table
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13. Spacecraft test bed using spherical air bearing
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14. The test bed uses a lamp shining on the air bearing platform to
represent the Sun’s illumination in orbit. The light from this
simulated sun can be directed to the test object from any position
in the upper sphere of the test-bed periphery.
Sun simulator
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

15. Astro Model
ACS Test Stand
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16. Spherical air bearing system
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17. Air bearing with platform
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18. Helmholtz Cage
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19. Overview test bed
University of Kufa KufaSat Team

20. University of Kufa KufaSat Team