SATMO: a Multi-Planet Thermal Analysis Tool for CubeSat Missions

TL;DR

SATMO is an open-source, MATLAB-based thermal analysis tool designed for CubeSat mission planning around Earth and other planets, offering a more accessible alternative to expensive commercial software.

Contribution

The paper introduces SATMO, a user-friendly, open-source thermal modeling framework for CubeSats, validated against industry-standard software and applicable to interplanetary missions.

Findings

SATMO's temperature predictions are within 1.17°C of Thermal Desktop results.

SATMO effectively models thermal environments around Earth, Venus, and Mars.

The tool supports quick thermal trade studies for mission planning.

Abstract

The expansion of commercial launch capabilities has significantly increased opportunities for interplanetary small satellite (SmallSat) missions. As researchers plan for more missions beyond Earth, there is a demand for accessible tools that help better predict and understand the thermal effects on their spacecraft in orbital environments around Earth and other bodies. While commercial thermal analysis tools offer high-fidelity modeling capabilities and results, they are often expensive and require extensive training to be used effectively. This paper details a framework for a user-friendly Satellite Thermal Model (SATMO) to support the early stages of space mission planning for CubeSats orbiting Earth and other Solar System bodies. SATMO is an open-source, MATLAB-based, six-node thermal analysis program designed for satellites in low-altitude circular orbits. Although SATMO requires a MATLAB license -- typically inexpensive or institutionally provided in academic settings -- it remains substantially more accessible than professional thermal analysis software. SATMO requires an internet connection for some features but does not rely on additional MATLAB toolboxes. The SATMO modeling approach is validated with the space industry standard Thermal Desktop software, with temperatures comparable to within 1.17$^\circ$C for a 10 cm $\times$ 10 cm $\times$ 10 cm CubeSat in various configurations, orbiting around primary bodies including Earth, Venus, and Mars. An example use case of SATMO is presented with a Mars-orbiting CubeSat to demonstrate its functionalities and the outputs available to users. SATMO offers increased accessibility to satellite thermal modeling for the research community, enabling quick thermal trade studies and interplanetary mission plans.