System identification of environmental effects for a satellite during re-entry
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Project and Master Subjects 2025-2026
- Super-agile operation of small satellites
- Early warning fault detection for satellite operations based on telemetry
- Semi-controlled re-entry for a satellite using attitude control
- System identification of environmental effects for a satellite during re-entry
- Mu-analysis for agile satellite attitude control maneuvers
- Enabling high-accuracy HYPSO image georeferencing by high-accuracy satellite pose estimation through postprocessing of satelitte sensor data
- High-accuracy attitude determination of Earth observation satellites
- Starlink: Signals of Opportunity positioning, navigation and timing (PNT)
- GNSS-R: Simulator design of a GNSS-Reflectometry simulator
- GNSS-R: Payload and embedded SW design
- GNSS-R: GNSS jamming and spoofing source localization from space
- GNSS-R: Formation flying of small satellites
- GNSS-R: Novel ship-detection methods for GNSS-Reflectometry
- Automatic Satellite Telemetry Anomaly Detection and Trend Analysis
- Which works better, explainable AI or black-box AI?
- Integrating the HYPSO constellation with the Copernicus Suite
- Explainable AI on a GPU
- What can the HYPSO-3 Hyperperspectral Cameras Observe?
- Could a short-wave infrared hyperspectral imager characterize oil spills?
- Coordinated Planning between a satellite constellation and a Autonomous Surface Vehicle
- Calibration of Hyperspectral camera point-spread function
- Past Projects
System identification of environmental effects for a satellite during re-entry (F25/S26)
When a satellite re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere after having been in orbit, it will experience a change in environmental effects: The effect of gravity and drag will increase, there may be wind, and the temperature will increase until the satellite burns. These effects depend on both the satellite’s orbital variables and its attitude during re-entry. While different atmosphere models exist, a model is a simplification of the real world. In this project, the candidate will use data collected from a satellite during re-entry to identify the environmental effects on the satellite in very low Earth orbit and compare the experienced effects with the atmosphere models recommended in current standards and identify the shortcomings of the models.
The task is in collaboration with the Space Norway subsidiary StatSat with focus on the satellite they are operating, the Norwegian national satellite NorSat-TD, in a project commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA).
From NTNUs side, the supervisors will be Professor Jan Tommy Gravdahl and Dr. Bjørn Andreas Kristiansen. For more information, contact Bjørn at bjorn.a.kristiansen@ntnu.no.