Master Thesis - OUFTI-1

Chapter 2
OUFTI-1: Flight system conguration
and general properties
2.1 Introduction
In consequence of the restricted dimensions of a CubeSat, the management of the available
space to integrate all the components of each subsystem is a real challenge.
Through this chapter, we will focus on the organization of subsystems inside the satellite.
For each of them, the requirements that led to this particular choice, and the progression
from the starting point [15] to the nal conguration, will be presented.
An other objective is to bring an overall view of the satellite, which will allow to have
a better understanding of the following chapters.
2.2 Reference frame
First of all, a reference frame must be dened. Its origin is located at the CubeSat
geometric center. The frame is oriented using the right-hand rule (as shown in Figure 2.1).
This particular frame presents 3 major advantages:
• It is the same frame as the one given in the ocial documents [1].
• The distance, that separates the Center of Gravity (CoG) from the geometric center,
can be directly evaluated.
• It allows to locate each component of the satellite in an easy way. For example,
the faces are identied using the name of the axis which is perpendicular to them
20