A systems engineering team used an innovative process to develop a new frictionless air bearing satellite simulator, SIMSAT II, for AFIT. AFIT faculty provided the design team with initial requirements, including rotating 30 rpm for spin stabilization and a rapid slewing capability about the yaw axis of +/- 45 degrees in 15 seconds from a standing start to a standing stop. The design team developed the Project Vee process model to meet these requirements by combining key system engineering principles of the original Vee model with project management tenets. The Project Vee model decomposed the requirements to produce a complete system design, guided the procurement of components, and performed validation and verification of the system. The design effort resulted in a three-axis, tabletop spherical air bearing configuration. SIMSAT II incorporates the use of fans as an actuating device for rapid slewing capability, a rigid structure for greater stability, and the capability for longer experimental runs. A modular payload platform allows for numerous types of experiments to be conducted onboard the system. SIMSAT II provides AFIT with a new simulator for spacecraft dynamics and control, with both educational and research experimentation possibilities.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.