Overview

Tetratheca was our team’s first entry into the Space Dynamics Laboratory Payload Challenge. Named after the native Australian flower, Tetratheca was designed to provide a technical demonstration of a satellite attitude determination and control system.

Project Details

In 2021, Tetratheca took out 3rd place in the Space Dynamics Laboratory Payload Challenge as part of the virtual Spaceport America Cup and was judged on technical relevance and design execution. Tetratheca’s primary aim was to demonstrate the use of a satellite attitude determination and control system for picosatellites to support the deployment of smaller payloads to orbit. By seating a picosatellite in a gyroscopic rig and subjecting it to the quasi-microgravity experienced during flight, we aimed to mimic the environment of space. This provided the picosatellite with an opportunity to determine its attitude, independent of the launch vehicle, and perform real-time attitude control in the form of a detumbling manoeuvre.

View our other Projects