Updates to QuickSAT and the step_SATdb: November 16, 2010

* Attitude Control/Determination System (ACDS) Module is now online! This module provides a complete systems level analysis of the attitude control and determination systems of a spacecraft for each and every flight leg of your mission. This module provides the following key features - interface to spacecraft design parameters, determination of the worst case disturbance environment, allows you to set design requirements and parameters, simplified sizing of control components and compares the results with actual spacecraft ACDS systems to determine design margins. Results can be shared with MATLAB and Simulink for advanced control system design and optimal controller development. Like all design modules in QuickSAT the ACDS module ties fully into the QuickSAT flight planning system, and configuration and design management system.

Note on ACDS "Auto calculation" Design Parameter calculation feature - the hooks have been added, but will not be fully available until the middle of December 2010. Once fully implemented it will calculate the spacecraft's Moments of Inertia (including Principle Moments of Inertia), center of mass on all three axes and RMS errors. Currently QuickSAT WILL calculate the spacecraft's surface area based on the spacecraft's size and geometry.

* The QuickSAT "information/help" tool has been implemented and is being expanded throughout several modules. All you have to do is mouse over a little cloud with an "i" in it, and additional information will pop up regarding the selected parameter. Give it a try - let me know what you think!

* Plotting is finally in QuickSAT! Though you could have always plotted QuickSAT/step_SAT data via Excel and now MATLAB, a plotting module has now been added to QuickSAT. Right now it is going through a trial run presenting the Subsystem Mass Summary Pie Chart. More will be coming down the pike. If there is one you want to see, let me know and we will look at getting it implemented.