Development of a Matlab Simulink tool for coupled attitude and orbit control using electric propulsion for Leo satellites

The aim of this thesis work is to evaluate, through the development of a tool, the electric propulsion for attitude and orbit control of the new platform developed at LuxSpace Sarl. The microsatellite to be developed requires a pointing accuracy around the degree and this has to be achieved through a low cost set of actuators. Among the alternatives, it was decided also to investigate, through the application of the already mentioned tool, the possibility of a passive stabilization with a gravity gradient boom. The analysis of the passive stabilization has been performed through a trade off evaluation considering a comparison with the active one, and the hybrid stabilization, to assess the possibility to have mass and power saving when actuators are coupled with the gravity gradient boom.Next analysis concerns the electric propulsion and foresees the coupling of attitude and orbit control for two different mission ideas: a satellite in a constellation and in a Sun-Synchronous orbit. Also in this case has been performed a trade off analysis to consider the chemical propulsion as alternative for the orbit control, and classical set of actuators as replacements for the electric thrusters.