Modelling the thermal effects of tumbling on CubeSats equipped with HTS coils

Abstract

High-temperature superconductivity (HTS) has potential to be useful for space applications, with HTS devices being capable of generating very high magnetic fields in compact devices. Use of HTS in space and integration into small satellites requires careful consideration of the solar power availability and thermal management to maintain a cryogenic environment. This paper uses a modelling approach to investigate the power and thermal implications for an HTS magnet and cryocooler inside a 3U CubeSat which is tumbling uncontrollably in a 500 km circular orbit. We show that, under the assumptions of the model, attitude control is necessary to reach and maintain a cryogenic environment for the HTS magnet. As CubeSats are power starved due to their limited surface area for solar panels, even a slight net angular velocity approximately halves the power availability for the cryocooler to counteract the significant number of radiation sources in a low-Earth orbit. As such, this paper highlights the need for attitude control to achieve HTS in space. Additionally, we investigate scenarios which could cause a satellite to tumble, and discuss the possibility of using the interaction between the HTS magnet and Earth's magnetic field to de-tumble a satellite which has lost its attitude control.