SCALES: A System Level Tool for Conceptual Design of Nano- and Microsatellites

Abstract

A satellite design tool has been developed offering systems engineers a fast way to analyze the feasibility of a particular design concept. The tool differs from available tools on the market in that it is specifically targeted at small satellites in the mass range of 1-50 kg, and with a limited development time. The tool is developed in Excel, and users interact with the tool in an intuitive manner through only one input and one output sheet. Required inputs include payload specifications, launcher characteristics, sensor & actuator types, and goal satellite mass, volume and power level. Outputs offered by the tool include mass, volume and power budgets, operating temperature envelope, attitude accuracy, propellant mass, transmit power and data rate. Algorithms, “rules-of thumb” and estimation relationships linking the input parameters with the output parameters have been based on models found in current literature, but have been revised and redefined based on an extensive satellite database containing over 200 satellites in the mass range of 0.1 – 50 kg, developed at Delft University of Technology.Space EngineeringAerospace Engineerin