Multi-axis thruster-only fine pointing control strategies for nanosatellites

Many satellites are required to be pointed at a target with high accuracy, a task which can in some scenarios be either better or only performed using thrusters. Control algorithms are well studied for solving this problem around a single axis using on/off thrusters, but not for cases where signific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAerospace science and technology Vol. 150; p. 109247
Main Authors Cilliers, Tian, Steyn, Willem Herman, Jordaan, Hendrik Willem
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier Masson SAS 01.07.2024
Subjects
Attitude control system
Linear programming
Precision pointing
Satellite dynamics
Thruster control
Linear programming
Attitude control system
Precision pointing
Thruster control
Satellite dynamics
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Summary:Many satellites are required to be pointed at a target with high accuracy, a task which can in some scenarios be either better or only performed using thrusters. Control algorithms are well studied for solving this problem around a single axis using on/off thrusters, but not for cases where significant inter-axis coupling is present in the moment of inertia or thruster torque matrices, as is often the case when using commercial-off-the-shelf components in nanosatellites. This work proposes a linear programming-based method for applying single-axis phase plane control techniques in a multi-axis environment, while minimizing fuel usage and obeying constraints on minimum impulse bit and pointing accuracy. A multi-axis extension of a feedback pulse-width pulse-frequency modulation scheme is also developed. Simulations are performed where these methods are compared to existing multi-axis control techniques in the presence of realistic disturbances and non-ideal thruster behaviour.
ISSN:1270-9638
1626-3219
DOI:10.1016/j.ast.2024.109247