scholarly journals Roto-Translational Control of Spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit Using Environmental Forces and Torques

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 4606
Author(s):  
Camilo Riano-Rios ◽  
Alberto Fedele ◽  
Riccardo Bevilacqua
Keyword(s):  
Translational Control ◽  
Attitude Control ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Gravity Gradient ◽  
Adaptive Controllers ◽  
Attitude Error ◽  
Track Formation ◽  
Relative Orbit ◽  
Along Track

In this paper, relative orbit and attitude adaptive controllers are integrated to perform roto-translational maneuvers for CubeSats equipped with a Drag Maneuvering Device (DMD). The DMD enables the host CubeSat with modulation of aerodynamic forces/torques and gravity gradient torque. Adaptive controllers for independent orbital and attitude maneuvers are revisited to account for traslational-attitude coupling while compensating for uncertainty in parameters such as atmospheric density, drag/lift coefficients, location of the Center of Mass (CoM) and inertia matrix. Uniformly ultimately bounded convergence of the attitude error and relative orbit states is guaranteed by Lyapunov-based stability analysis for the integrated roto-translational maneuver. A simulation example of an along-track formation maneuver between two CubeSats with simultaneous attitude control using only environmental forces and torques is presented to validate the controller.

scholarly journals Attitude Analysis of Small Satellites Using Model-Based Simulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir A. Rawashdeh
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Magnetic Hysteresis ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Gravity Gradient ◽  
Simulation Tool ◽  
Shape Modelling ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Magnetic Stabilization ◽  
Aerodynamic Torque

CubeSats, and small satellites in general, being small and relatively light, are sensitive to disturbance torques in the orbital environment. We developed a simulation tool that includes models of the major environmental torques and small satellite experiences in low Earth orbit, which allows users to study the attitude response for a given spacecraft and assist in the design of attitude control systems, such as selecting the magnet strength when using passive magnetic stabilization or designing the shape of the spacecraft when using aerodynamic attitude stabilization. The simulation tool named the Smart Nanosatellite Attitude Propagator (SNAP) has been public in precompiled form and widely used since 2010; this paper accompanies the release of SNAP’s source code with the inclusion of new models for aerodynamic torque and other new features. Details on internal models are described, including the models for orbit propagation, Earth’s magnetic field, gravity gradient torque, spacecraft shape modelling and aerodynamic torque, permanent magnetic dipole torque, and magnetic hysteresis. A discussion is presented on the significance of aerodynamic torque and magnetic hysteresis on a magnetically stabilized 3-unit CubeSat in the orbit of the International Space Station, from which many small satellites are deployed.

Passive Attitude Control Torque Generation Performances of a Gravity Gradient Stabilized Satellite

2012 ◽  
Vol 225 ◽  
pp. 458-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurulasikin Mohd Suhadis ◽  
Renuganth Varatharajoo
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Control Algorithm ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Gravity Gradient ◽  
Control Torque ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
Torque Generation ◽  
Geomagnetic Field Models ◽  
Geomagnetic Fields ◽  
Operation Results

In this paper, the Proportional-Derivative (PD) based attitude control algorithm of the gravity gradient stabilized satellite has been developed. The satellite is equipped with 3 magnetic torquers where each of the magnetic torquer is placed along the +x, +y, +z axes. The control torque is generated when the magnetic field generated by the magnetic torquers couples with the geomagnetic fields, whereby the vector of the generated torque is perpendicular to both the magnetic fields. The developed control algorithm was simulated using the complex and simplified geomagnetic field models for a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite mission in a nominal attitude operation. Results from simulations exhibit the effectiveness of the attitude control torque generation that fulfills the mission attitude control requirements.

Two-timescale magnetic attitude control of Low-Earth-Orbit spacecraft

2021 ◽  
pp. 106884
Author(s):  
Giulio Avanzini ◽  
Emanuele L. de Angelis ◽  
Fabrizio Giulietti
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Magnetic Attitude Control

scholarly journals Neighboring Optimal Guidance and Constrained Attitude Control for Accurate Orbit Injection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Pontani ◽  
Fabio Celani
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Initial Position ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Guidance And Control ◽  
Optimal Guidance ◽  
Combined Use ◽  
Upper Stage ◽  
Neighboring Optimal Guidance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Guidance Technique

AbstractAccurate orbit injection represents a crucial issue in several mission scenarios, e.g., for spacecraft orbiting the Earth or for payload release from the upper stage of an ascent vehicle. This work considers a new guidance and control architecture based on the combined use of (i) the variable-time-domain neighboring optimal guidance technique (VTD-NOG), and (ii) the constrained proportional-derivative (CPD) algorithm for attitude control. More specifically, VTD-NOG & CPD is applied to two distinct injection maneuvers: (a) Hohmann-like finite-thrust transfer from a low Earth orbit to a geostationary orbit, and (b) orbit injection of the upper stage of a launch vehicle. Nonnominal flight conditions are modeled by assuming errors on the initial position, velocity, attitude, and attitude rate, as well as actuation deviations. Extensive Monte Carlo campaigns prove effectiveness and accuracy of the guidance and control methodology at hand, in the presence of realistic deviations from nominal flight conditions.

The study of gravity gradient effect on attitude of low earth orbit satellite

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nor Hazadura Hamzah ◽  
Sazali Yaacob ◽  
Hariharan Muthusamy ◽  
Norhizam Hamzah ◽  
Najah Ghazali
Keyword(s):  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Gravity Gradient ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Gradient Effect ◽  
Orbit Satellite ◽  
Low Earth Orbit Satellite

scholarly journals Satellite Attitude Control System Design Taking into Account the Fuel Slosh and Flexible Dynamics

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain G. de Souza ◽  
Luiz C. G. de Souza
Keyword(s):  
Control System ◽  
Attitude Control ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Rigid Motion ◽  
Linear Quadratic Regulator ◽  
Comparative Investigation ◽  
Attitude Control System ◽  
Linear Quadratic ◽  
Deformable Structure ◽  
Fuel Slosh

The design of the spacecraft Attitude Control System (ACS) becomes more complex when the spacecraft has different type of components like, flexible solar panels, antennas, mechanical manipulators and tanks with fuel. The interaction between the fuel slosh motion, the panel’s flexible motion and the satellite rigid motion during translational and/or rotational manoeuvre can change the spacecraft center of mass position damaging the ACS pointing accuracy. This type of problem can be considered as a Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) where some movable or deformable structure interacts with an internal fluid. This paper develops a mathematical model for a rigid-flexible satellite with tank with fuel. The slosh dynamics is modelled using a common pendulum model and it is considered to be unactuated. The control inputs are defined by a transverse body fixed force and a moment about the centre of mass. A comparative investigation designing the satellite ACS by the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) methods is done. One has obtained a significant improvement in the satellite ACS performance and robustness of what has been done previously, since it controls the rigid-flexible satellite and the fuel slosh motion, simultaneously.

Rotational and relative translational control for satellite electromagnetic formation flying in low earth orbit

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. 815-825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Fan ◽  
Min Hu ◽  
Mingqi Yang
Keyword(s):  
Control Problem ◽  
Translational Control ◽  
Attitude Control ◽  
Formation Flying ◽  
Sliding Mode ◽  
Large Angle ◽  
Translation Control ◽  
Nonlinear Controller ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical design for the attitude control of electromagnetic formation flying (EMFF) satellites, present a nonlinear controller for the relative translational control of EMFF satellites and propose a novel method for the allocation of electromagnetic dipoles. Design/methodology/approach The feedback attitude control law, magnetic unloading algorithm and large angle manoeuvre algorithm are presented. Then, a terminal sliding mode controller for the relative translation control is put forward and the convergence is proved. Finally, the control allocation problem of electromagnetic dipoles is formulated as an optimization issue, and a hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) – sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to optimize the free dipoles. Three numerical simulations are carried out and results are compared. Findings The proposed attitude controller is effective for the sun-tracking process of EMFF satellites, and the magnetic unloading algorithm is valid. The formation-keeping scenario simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the terminal sliding model controller and electromagnetic dipole calculation method. Practical implications The proposed method can be applied to solve the attitude and relative translation control problem of EMFF satellites in low earth orbits. Originality/value The paper analyses the attitude control problem of EMFF satellites systematically and proposes an innovative way for relative translational control and electromagnetic dipole allocation.

scholarly journals Three-axis air-bearing based platform for small satellite attitude determination and control simulation

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Prado ◽  
G. Bisiacchi ◽  
L. Reyes ◽  
E. Vicente ◽  
F. Contreras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attitude Control ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Measurement Unit ◽  
Simulation Platform ◽  
Air Bearing ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Free Environment ◽  
And Control

A frictionless environment simulation platform, utilized for accomplishing three-axis attitude control tests in small satellites, is introduced. It is employed to develop, improve, and carry out objective tests of sensors, actuators, and algorithms in the experimental framework. Different sensors (i.e. sun, earth, magnetometer, and an inertial measurement unit) are utilized to assess three-axis deviations. A set of three inertial wheels is used as primary actuators for attitude control, together with three mutually perpendicular magnetic coils intended for desaturation purposes, and as a backup control system. Accurate balancing, through the platform’s center of mass relocation into the geometrical center of the spherical air-bearing, significatively reduces gravitational torques, generating a virtually torque-free environment. A very practical balancing procedure was developed for equilibrating the table in the local horizontal plane, with a reduced final residual torque. A wireless monitoring system was developed for on-line and post-processing analysis; attitude data are displayed and stored, allowing properly evaluate the sensors, actuators, and algorithms. A specifically designed onboard computer and a set of microcontrollers are used to carry out attitude determination and control tasks in a distributed control scheme. The main components and subsystems of the simulation platform are described in detail.

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