A cubesat attitude control system with linear piezoelectric actuator

This paper introduces the design of an innovative attitude control subsystem by using linear piezoelectric actuators and a Commercial off-the-shelf DC brushless motor. CubeSat is now becoming a popular miniaturized satellite standard for space researches and technology demonstrations. However, precise attitude control systems are challenging on Cubesats due to the constraints of mass and volume. In this design, the attitude control actuator consists of two linear piezoelectric actuators and one DC brushless motor. They are integrated by a special double tracks structure to enable the adjustment of the principle axis of the reaction wheel. The key design process is to design the linear actuator which driven by the 1^st longitudinal mode and the 2^nd bending mode of piezoceramic plates. Finite Element Method was used to obtain the dimensions of the vibrator and the locations of the driving teeth.