Studying the Effects of Disturbance Torques on a 2U CubeSat in Low Earth Orbits

Abstract

Disturbance torques in Low Earth Orbits may present a harsh environment for the successful operation of small satellite missions. The effects of gravity-gradient and aerodynamic torques are studied individually at various altitudes for low Earth orbit. Results show that for a basic 2U CubeSat, the gravity-gradient torque is highly perturbing, whereas the effect of aerodynamic torque is established to be so dominant that it offers attitude stabilization in lower altitudes; and may be used as a means of passive attitude stabilization.