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Tutorial 1: Creating a satellite

Welcome to the first of four tutorials for the Dawn Dusk Satellite Simulator (D2S2). In this tutorial, we will focus on navigating the D2S2 user interface and constructing a basic satellite. Throughout these tutorials, will use a conceptual satellite mission as a case study for practice and application.

Introduction to case study: SimSat

SimSat is designed with the goal of demonstrating maritime vessel surveillance technology. Refer to Figure 1 for visual representations of the satellite, which has a 3U form factor and features an SSO +/-Y facing solar panel configuration, as well as an Imager. It is to be launched into a solar synchronous orbit (SSO) as a secondary payload on a launch vehicle. Its orbital altitude and inclination is to be 508km and 97.30 degrees, respectively. We shall use D2S2 to create and simulate the SimSat mission.

Figure 1: Two views of the SimSat: (Left) the nadir facing side of SimSat, showing the Imager, and (right) the zenith facing side of SimSat, showing the complete solar panel configuration.

Creating a satellite

The easiest method to create a satellite within D2S2 is through the satellite wizard. This tool guides the user through specifying the satellite's hardware components, simulation setup, and initial orbit states. By prompting the user to input essential details about the satellite and its orbit, the wizard ensures all necessary information is provided to run a simulation. To reach the wizard,

  1. Go to Model View, then select Satellites from the simulation model tree. See the user interface documentation, as well as the model introduction page for explanations of the model tree.
  2. Click the Create button and select New Satellite Wizard from the drop-down menu (see Figure 2).

Figure 2: Screen capture corresponding to steps 1 and 2. Circled are the model view button (top right), Create button (top middle), as well as the satellite from the model simulation tree (bottom left).

The Satellite wizard now appears as a pop-up window, as shown below:

Figure 3: The Satellite wizard window.

Now, follow the prompts to create SimSat, such that the simulation matches the information given in the Introduction to case study: SimSat section.

  1. Select 3U CubeSat as the form factor.
  2. Select Long Z, Short X/Y as the nominal orientation (see Figure 4).
  3. When prompted to specify the position of body-mounted solar panels, place one solar panel on the zenith facing side of the satellite (see Figure 4).
  4. Select a SSO +/-Y facing deployed solar panel configuration (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Screen capture corresponding to steps 4 to 6.

  1. When prompted to specify the mass properties of the satellite, select Mass properties are for the entire satellite. For this exercise, we assume that the default parameters are correct.
  2. Select SGP4 as the orbit propagator.
  3. Select a Sun-synchronous orbit with a mean altitude of 508km, and an LTAN of 12:00.
  4. When prompted to Specify fixed or numerically integrate attitude, check the Numerically integrate attitude box. Specify all initial states as 0.
  5. Select EPS, ACS, TT&C (VHF/UHF), and Imager as the satellite sub-systems.
  6. Name the satellite SimSat.

When inspecting the simulation tree in the model view, we now see that SimSat has been added under satellites. Furthermore, each of the hardware components specified during the satellite wizard process is listed under Components (see Figure 5).

Figure 5: A screen capture showing the SimSat in the model tree, under Satellites.

If we choose to run the simulation now, the satellite will tumble. This is because the default attitude control mode of the ACS is NoControl. To fix this,

  1. Select SimSat ACS from the components list. The Input window opens on the right-hand side of the screen.
  2. Under Mode Selection, set Attitude Control to Pointing.

Figure 6: Screen capture corresponding to Steps 13 and 14.

  1. Save your work by clicking the Save scenario button at the top of the screen (not available in the demo version of D2S2).

Congratulations! You have created and modified your first satellite using D2S2. In the next tutorial, you will add a ground station to the simulation.