Delfi-Twin ADCS

AE4904 Space Engineering Detailed Design Project (2026)

Abstract

This report aims to design the Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS) of the Delfi-Twin project, based on existing hardware and software design. Delfi-Twin is a formation flying mission of two PocketQubes and successor to the Delfi-PQ mission which was launched into space in 2022. It will perform formation flight, using differential drag through the motorized deployment angle of the solar panels.

In the previous years multiple components have already underwent R&D by staff members and students. This project is the culmination that is to bring everything together to a coherent system. It will feature four Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) infrared sensors to be used as earth horizon sensors. This system works in parallel with a magnetometer to provide the attitude sensing. The heart of the system is the STM32L476RG microcontroller, it acts as the master of the system. For actuation a set of magnetorquers is to be designed and/or iterated upon previous work.

The complete system is supposed to adhere to the standards, protocols and dimensions set by the Delfi-Twin team. This report focuses on the design with the knowledge of having to manufacture and test it in the next phase of the project; the Space Engineering Practical.