Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 229, 1501–1506 (2020)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2020-900158-2

Regular Article

Attitude determination by unscented Kalman filter and solar panels as sun sensor

Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Bernardo do Campo, SP 09606-070, Brazil

^a e-mail: leandro.baroni@ufabc.edu.br

Received: 13 July 2019
Received in final form: 26 December 2019
Published online: 29 May 2020

Abstract

CubeSats have became a common platform for education and technology demonstration. To overcome restrictions on CubeSat design, the Attitude Determination and Control System can use the photovoltaic panels to replace sun sensor. This work presents an attitude estimation method based on an unscented Kalman filter, using low cost gyroscope and magnetometer sensors and solar panels as a sun sensor. Data are simulated considering the influence of the Earth albedo on solar panels, and results are compared to those obtained by an extended Kalman filter.