To fulfil mission objectives satisfactorily, many CubeSat-based applications require precise stabilisation of the CubeSat platform during orbit. For example, observing a small distant space object, (re)detecting small targets or fine-grain changes over a large terrain of the Earth’s surface, and establishing long-range communication links. However, in part due to their small size, CubeSats inevitably suffer from jitter during orbit, which prevents a high degree of stability.

This project seeks to research and develop an ultra-fine attitude determination and control system (ADACs) for optical remote sensing (Earth Observation and Space Situational Awareness) and optical communications from small satellite platforms.