Master Thesis - OUFTI-1
Master Thesis - OUFTI-1
Master Thesis - OUFTI-1
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2.4 Physical properties<br />
The physical properties (including CoG and inertia) are of primary importance for the<br />
denition of a 3-dimensional body. In addition, other students, like the ones in charge of<br />
ADCS [25] or MECH [24] subsystems, need them to perform their simulations.<br />
In this section, the Catia software will be used to determine theCoG location and<br />
inertia properties of <strong>OUFTI</strong>-1. When a complete engineering model of the satellite will be<br />
available, these values can be veried experimentally [31].<br />
2.4.1 Catia modeling<br />
Last year, a detailed model of the satellite was carried out using the Catia software [32].<br />
During this year, this model was rened to obtain the nal conguration of the satellite.<br />
This conguration is shown in Figure 2.20.<br />
This type of modeling, which is widely used in mechanical industries, presents several<br />
advantages:<br />
• Firstly, it allows to have an overall view of each component's location within the<br />
CubeSat. This is very helpful to verify that a given component could be placed at<br />
a specic location or to create an appropriate integration procedure for the satellite<br />
[33]. In addition, Catia les are compatible with the Samcef software [34], which is<br />
used to perform the FE analysis. So, the two can be combined to take the best of the<br />
two worlds (Catia for Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling and Samcef for FE<br />
analysis) and to facilitate the task of the engineer who is in charge of the structural<br />
subsystem.<br />
• Then, Catia can calculate several physical properties such as the location of the CoG<br />
(which is really helpful in our case considering the reference frame that we use) or<br />
the inertia properties. However, to be accurate, Catia requires the denition of each<br />
material used to manufacture the several components of the satellite.<br />
• Finally, Catia facilitates the creation of technical drawings.<br />
2.4.2 Center of gravity<br />
An other requirement imposed by the CubeSat standard is: "The CubeSat center of<br />
gravity shall be located within a sphere of 2 cm from its geometric center ". This requirement<br />
allows to ensure that each P-POD CoG remains located inside a specic volume.<br />
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