Authors : C. T. Tofade; E. O. Oyewole; D. Z. Zakut; K. O. Orji-Daniels; I. Mafiana

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/34rj5u2x

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/3b5unmjr

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul703

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Abstract : Small satellites require compact and efficient subsystems to satisfy stringent mass, volume, and power constraints. Conventionally, electrical energy storage and attitude control are implemented as separate subsystems using rechargeable batteries and reaction wheels, respectively, resulting in increased system complexity and reduced payload capacity. Flywheel Energy Storage Systems (FESS) provides an attractive alternative by integrating electrical energy storage and attitude control within a single electromechanical device. However, experimental validation of such integrated systems remains limited due to the scarcity of affordable laboratory-scale platforms. This paper presents the development of a laboratory-scale Flywheel Energy Storage and Attitude Control Testbed (FESACT) for small satellite applications. The testbed integrates a brushless DC motor-driven flywheel, electronic speed controller, inertial measurement unit, power management circuitry, and an ESP32-based embedded controller for simultaneous energy storage and attitude control experiments. A closed-loop PID control strategy was implemented to regulate flywheel speed while generating controlled reaction torque representative of spacecraft attitude maneuvers. Experimental results showed stable flywheel speed regulation with a maximum steady-state error of 0.76% at 5000 rpm and a settling time of 3.2 s. The flywheel stored up to 463.3 J of kinetic energy at the maximum operating speed, while charging and discharging efficiencies reached 87.9%. During simulated attitude maneuvers, the testbed achieved a peak angular displacement of 9.3° with a settling time of 2.7 s, demonstrating reliable reaction torque generation and dynamic response. The developed platform enables realtime monitoring of flywheel speed, stored kinetic energy, electrical power flow, and angular response, providing a costeffective and modular environment for validating integrated flywheel technologies and advanced spacecraft control algorithms for future CubeSat and nanosatellite missions.

Keywords : Flywheel Energy Storage, Attitude Control, Reaction Wheel, Cubesat, Laboratory Testbed, Embedded Systems, PID Control.

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