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ADCS group

The Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) is a vital component of the SERPENT satellite, responsible for maintaining and adjusting the satellite's orientation in space. One of its primary functions is to detumble the satellite before separation, ensuring that it achieves a stable orientation. Proper detumbling is crucial to prevent the satellites from spinning uncontrollably after separation, which could jeopardize mission objectives. In future projects, precise alignment will also be necessary, making ADCS an essential system for both current and upcoming missions. By combining magnetic and mechanical control elements, the ADCS delivers robust and precise orientation adjustments throughout the mission.

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Subsystem Components

Magnetorquers:
The magnetorquers generate torque by interacting with Earth’s magnetic field, playing a key role in attitude correction:

  • 2200 windings of copper wire around a ferromagnetic core.

  • Produces approximately 0.7 µNm of torque for stabilization.

  • B-DOT algorithm is employed to reduce rotational motion effectively.

  • Operates through H-bridge circuits and communicates via I2C protocol for precise control.​

magnettorquers size.jpg

Reaction Wheel
For precise and fine-tuned attitude adjustments, the ADCS utilizes a reaction wheel:

  • Stall torque: 5.80 mNm, powered by an EC-max 16 motor.

  • PID Controller: Ensures smooth operation and minimizes oscillations for stable orientation control.

  • Operates through I2C communication with a dedicated motor driver for efficient adjustments.​​

Central Control
The STM32F205 microcontroller serves as the brain of the ADCS. It gathers real-time data from sensors and runs advanced control algorithms to calculate and implement necessary adjustments to the satellite's orientation. To determine and monitor the satellite’s orientation, the ADCS is equipped with:

  • A 3-axis magnetometer (MMC5983) for magnetic field measurements.

  • A 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope (ISM42670P) for angular velocity and acceleration data.

These sensors provide the microcontroller with accurate and reliable data for precise orientation calculations.​​

Progress in Development
In the spring of 2024, significant progress was made on the development of the ADCS as part of several bachelor theses. The work completed includes:

  • Construction of a Helmholtz cage for ADCS testing to simulate Earth’s magnetic field in a controlled environment.

  • Prototyping of the ADCS system to test feasibility and performance.

  • Building magnetorquers tailored to the satellite’s requirements.

  • Designing and assembling reaction wheels for fine-grained control.

  • Development and testing of control algorithms, including the B-DOT and PID systems, to ensure stability and efficiency.​​

Helmholtz cage.jpg
magnettorquers windings.jpg
ADCS prototype.jpg

Narvik Student Society Serpent Project​

Org.nr: 988727695 

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Lodve Langes gate 2

8514 Narvik Norge

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Email: Serpent@samfunnet.no

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