UK’s first CubeSat mission launched
Scottish firm Clyde Space has revealed plans to launch the UK's first government funded CubeSat into space.
The company's UKube-1 nanosatellite, which is controlled by brushless dc motors from maxon motor, is due to launch on a Russion Soyuz-2 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrone in Kazakhstan in March 2013.
Features on board include a GPS device aimed at measuring plasmaspheric space weather; an imaging sensor to take images of the Earth and test the effect of radiation on space hardware; and an instrument to demonstrate the feasibility of using cosmic radiation to improve the security of communications satellites.
Clyde Space is currently working with maxon to improve the CubeSat's three axis attitude control system, which is based on a torque reaction positioning system that uses a reaction/momentum fly wheel.
The reaction wheel is driven by a maxon brushless dc motor. By changing the speed of the flywheel, a reactionary torque is applied to rotate the CubeSat around an axis and by maintaining the rotation the CubeSat is stablised.
Several reaction/momentum wheels are used to provide full three axis attitude control and stability.
"The involvement of maxon motor in this project has been fundamental in developing the torque reaction drive," said Clyde Space's ceo Craig Clark. "It is refreshing to see a customised off the shelf product meet this demanding environment rather than use a bespoke designed motor with the cost implications involved."
