Mission Analysis of the Nanosatellite Sonate

Abstract: The objective of this thesis is the development of a software application facilitating a quick and extensive mission analysis including all subsystems of the satellite. Furthermore mission analysis for the Sonate mission is done, utilizing the developed program. Usually mission analysis is done by applying separately different tools which are specific for each subsystem. The drawback of this method is that the system is not analyzed as a whole; rather all subsystems are investigated separately from each other. In case one or more system parameters should change, the effect of this variation onto other parts of the system will not directly be accessible and visible. A simulation tool considering all these subsystems overcomes this weaknesses and helps to develop a balanced system. Different system configurations and operation scenarios can be evaluated quickly and compared to each other in order to find an optimal solution. The simulation system developed during this thesis exhibits a client-server structure, where the subsystems are separated modules acting as clients. The program has a highly modular structure which renders it possible to have an arbitrary extension in the future. Aside from the server, connecting all modules, the following modules were implemented: orbital dynamics module containing orbit propagation and attitude determination power subsystem consisting of the subparts power production, power consumption and power storage archiving module saving all results generated for further evaluation simulation clock providing the simulation time configuration module with a GUI to facilitate the configuration of all simulation parameters simple thermal module providing temperatures for the satellite panels Mission analysis was done for the Sonate satellite utilizing the developed program in order to find a configuration for the solar panels of the satellite such that all the subsystems of the satellite can be supplied with sufficient power during the mission.