Topic: State Space Thermal Controls of Cube-Sats
Abstract:
A stable thermal environment is a necessity for all space-based telescopes. Unwanted changes in temperatures cause thermal expansion, which will alter the geometric relationships between optical components. This in turn will lead to blurry science images, or for wave front sensing and control, the inability to dig dark holes. One way to enforce a stable thermal environment is through discrete linear state-space control. Using knowledge of linear systems, stability, controllability, and state feedback control laws, one can determine an input that will maintain the optical equipment at a desired temperature and prevent thermal expansion. In addition to these topics, a brief discussion on conductive and radiative thermal modeling through the use of finite difference equations will be included.