Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS)

Optical Communications
Part of the Optical Communications series
Team Goals
Amateur Optical Communication Record • CubeQuest Challenge
Equipment
OpComms System I • System II • System III • System IV • 3 cm Board
Noteworthy Tests
SSI-1E4 • Test Procedure
Important Concepts
The Field of Optical Communications • Beam Divergence • Pulse Position Modulation • Scintillation • Precision Aiming • Fog • Long Range RF • Optical Internet Backhaul • Signal-to-Noise Ratio
Field Test Locations
W6YX (also see Amateur Radio) • Skyline Boulevard Overlook • Proposed Alternate OpComms Test Sites
People
Dr. Simone D'Amico (Team Advisor) • Elizabeth Hillstrom (Co-Lead) • Sasha Maldonado (Co-Lead) • Dr. Joseph Kahn • Dr. Leo Hollberg
Optical Communications Satellites
FitSat-1 • LADEE • ARTEMIS and SPOT-4 • OICETS • OPALS • JPL 1U Optical Communications Terminal
Astronomy
Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network • Stanford Astronomy Club • Stanford Student Observatory
Miscellaneous
Tactical Cinderblock
V • E

An Attitude Determination and Control (ADCS) provides measurements regarding a satellite's orbit and allows the satellite to change its inertial position.

Examples of ADCS Hardware

Most ADCS hardware relies on an ability to change the satellite's position relative to the Earth.
- Reaction wheels: Using small, spinning wheels, reaction wheels allow satellite positioning using the principle of conservation of momentum.
- Magnetorquer: By creating a magnetic field that interact's with the Earth's own magnetic field, a magnetic torquer produces a force that can rotate a satellite.
- Control Moment Gyros: Similar to Reaction Wheels, Control Moment Gyros use a gimbal to change the rotation of a spinning flywheel. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTWA6tUREi8 for an excellent visual demonstration of CMG technology.
- Thrusters: Though far more uncommon on small satellites, thrusters remain a dependable and conceptually straightforward method of attitude determination.

ADCS Specifications

ADCS Pointing Accuracy
- ADCS accuracy varies depending on the type and quality of mechanisms and control systems. The CubeSpace hardware popular for use on 2U QB50 satellites has an accuracy of 0.2º to 0.6º. The BlueCanyon XB1 high precision ADCS suggests an accuracy of 0.002º.
ADCS Maneuvering Rates