A control system analysis for a potential small geostationary satellite for South Africa

The availability of an indigenous communications satellite helps in driving down communication and entertainment costs of services obtained through such a satellite. The design and implementation of a small GEO satellite will also act as a stepping stone for missions of greater complexity and stringent specifications [2]. This paper presented is based on a simulation study with real world and worst case scenarios modelled as accurately as possible keeping in mind the trade-off between computational burden and accuracy. An overall control system analysis comprising of the Attitude Control and Determination system is performed, keeping actuator failure in mind. An analytical Orbit Control evaluation is also performed which gives an estimate of the propellant requirement for an average GEO lifetime of 10 years.