CubeSat Simulation Models

Below you will find project ideas that can serve as a starting point if you want to get involved in ThirdEye development. Until we have set up a dedicated issue tracker for ThirdEye development we will used the Blog here to list future development ideas. Of course if you have another idea on how to contribute to ThirdEye please let us know through the Contact page or by a GitLab pull request.

In this blogpost we want to describe the idea to develop simulation models for CubeSat missions. Focus should be the 6-degree-of-freedom model, the power system (solar-array and battery) and the communication sub-system (RF-link). Basic implementations of a few of these models are available in the space extension but a 6 degree-of-freedom model is lacking as well as actuator models and more. Below you can find a list of proposed models that could be implemented:

  • 6 degree-of-freedom model

  • Earth magnetic field model

  • Magnetorquer

  • Magnetic field sensor

  • Reaction-wheel

  • Sun sensor

The following models are already available but need improvement:

  • Gravity field model

  • Solar-array model

  • Sun model

  • RF Receiver

  • RF Transmitter

  • RF Link

By implementing a few of these models ThirdEye could easily be used to build a tool capable of CubeSat mission analysis.

Level: Beginner

Links for further reading: