Attitude Stabilization for the Nano Remote Sensing Satellite PRISM

AbstractThe picosatellite for remote sensing and innovative space missions (PRISM) is a 8.5-kg nano remote sensing satellite that had been launched in 2009. The objective of the mission is to obtain 30-m resolution Earth images using an extended optical system. To achieve the requirement, the satellite attitude should be stabilized to an accuracy of 0.7°/s. The focus of this research is the attitude determination and control system for the PRISM satellite. The satellite controls the angular velocity using gyro sensors, magnetometers, and magnetorquers. For an accurate attitude control system, the satellite should calibrate gyro sensors and magnetometers. Generally, attitude sensors are calibrated using ground calibration systems or more precise attitude sensors in-orbit, whereas a nanosatellite is difficult to use with these calibration systems and precise sensors because of high cost. The PRISM satellite estimates the scale factor and bias of the magnetometers with the International Geomagnetic Reference...