| Small satellites are growing in popularity because they offer an effective option that enables missions otherwise too schedule or cost limited. However, many possible missions require improved platform capabilities without sacrificing the cost effective nature of small satellites before they become viable. Described is the development and validation of high performance attitude determination and control for nanosatellite missions. Considered are astronomy missions, requiring very fine pointing stability, and formation flying missions requiring rapid manoeuvring while maintaining antenna coverage towards secondary pointing targets. It will be shown that power and volume limited nanosatellites are capable of this level of attitude performance by leveraging the techniques normally reserved for larger spacecraft. Discussed are attitude state estimation techniques and control laws developed for the BRITE stellar photometry constellation and CanX-4 and CanX-5 formation flying mission, along with the challenges associated with implementing and validating these designs for real space missions. |
