Fast Satellite Attitude Maneuver and Control

By Dong Ye, You Li and Yan Xiao

Fast Satellite Attitude Maneuver and Control introduces the concept of agile satellites and corresponding fast maneuver attitude control systems, systematically and comprehensively presenting recent research results of fast maneuver attitude control for agile satellites by using advanced nonlinear control techniques. This reference book focuses on modeling and attitude control, considering different actuator combinations, actuator installation deviation, actuator fault, and flexible appendage coupling effect for agile satellites. The book provides a unified platform for understanding and applicability of agile satellites fast maneuverer and stabilization control for different purposes.

It will be an excellent resource for researchers working on spacecraft design, nonlinear control systems, vehicle systems and complex control systems.

• Unifies existing and emerging concepts concerning nonlinear control theory, fault tolerant, and attitude control for agile satellites
• Provides a series of the latest results, including, but not limited to, fast maneuverer and stabilization control, hybrid actuator control, nonlinear attitude control, fault tolerant control, and active vibration suppression towards agile satellites
• Comprehensively captures recent advances of theory, technological aspects and applications of fast maneuverer and stabilization control in agile satellites
• Addresses research problems in each chapter, along with numerical and simulation results that reflect engineering practice and demonstrate the focus of developed analysis and synthesis approaches
• Contains comprehensive, up-to-date references, which play an indicative role for further study

• Language: English
• Publisher: Academic Press
• Release date: Aug 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9780323954563

Dong Ye

Dong Ye is a Professor at the School of Astronautics, Harbin Institute, in China. His research interests include spacecraft dynamics and control and hardware-in-the-loop simulation technique.

Book preview

Chapter 1: Overview

Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of this book. It clarifies the main motivation and the outline of this book. Then, it reviews the development status and trend of agile satellites, and also the research status of main methods related to the control of agile satellites.

Keywords

Agile satellites; Attitude control; Attitude trajectory planning; Finite time control; Hybrid control

1.1: Introduction

With the development of space technology, space missions represented by long-time staring at specific targets and stereo imaging with single line array cameras require satellites to be agile. Attitude agility includes three abilities: rapid attitude maneuver, rapid attitude stability, and stability maintaining during maneuver. Different tasks have different requirements for satellite agility.

Compared with conventional satellites, agile satellites can provide the following functions [1]:

(1)Persistent earth gaze: it can enable satellites to have the ability of long-term observation of designated targets on the ground, near earth space and in the universe, and can also be used to maintain the communication link between satellites and ground communication stations for a long time. Especially for natural disaster monitoring, with the help of rapid attitude maneuver and fast attitude stabilization of agile satellites, real-time image information and even video can be provided by high-resolution optical loads on small satellites through real-time target tracking. At present, such satellites, represented by the tubsat series satellites developed by Germany, have been used in wartime monitoring, the development of new ocean crossing routes, disaster information acquisition, and many other aspects [2].

(2)Stereo imaging with single-line-array camera: many space missions require satellites to have the ability to obtain stereo remote sensing images in specific areas on the ground or globally. The key of stereo imaging is to ensure fast attitude stabilization of the satellite after rapid maneuver and avoid the impact of attitude jitter on the re-imaging quality of the imaging system of satellite payloads. In particular, when the satellite works in push scan imaging mode, it is more necessary to maintain attitude and angular velocity stability. The above factors have brought a wide development space for agile satellites. Countries in European and America have already started a series of earth observation plans for relevant technical verification [3].

(3)Observable strip expansion: when using agile satellites in earth observation, the increase of attitude angle can correspondingly expand the width of observation strip, increase the observable range and amount of observation data during satellite transit, and shorten the time of obtaining the same amount of information. With the advantages of agile satellites, the time to obtain the same amount of information when carrying the same imaging load for push scanning is much shorter than that of traditional satellites. It has achieved remarkable results in tasks such as rapid acquisition of global remote sensing information and missile early warning [4].

In addition, agile satellites provide technical support for global communication, space monitoring, micro interstellar detection, synthetic aperture radar remote sensing, land and resources observation, and rapid response in military reconnaissance, which is also of great significance for the improvement of national defense strength [4]. Therefore, agile satellite has become one of the hotspots in the field of satellite research [5].

1.2: Development status and trend of agile satellite

Compared with traditional satellites, agile satellites have great advantages. More specifically, they broaden the earth observation ability of satellites and realize satellite missions that were difficult to complete before. At present, agile satellite is a research hotspot in the current aerospace field. Research institutions from countries represented by the United States, France, Italy, and India have put forward a series of agile satellite related plans, most of which have entered or are about to enter the implementation stage. Typical agile satellite programs are as follows:

1.2.1: Pleiades project

As shown in Fig. 1.1, Pleiades project is the ultrahigh-resolution panchromatic multispectral earth observation program launched by ESA, and two satellites of the program were successfully launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively. In order to improve the maneuverability of the satellite and ensure the attitude control accuracy, the two satellites in the Pleiades program adopt the integrated structural frame design to effectively reduce the rotational inertia. In addition, the satellite attitude system adopts three-axis stable control mode. The attitude measurement unit has three star sensors and four fiber optic gyroscopes to provide measurements required for attitude determination during rapid maneuver. The attitude maneuver actuator is four control moment gyroscopes installed on the satellite, which can adjust the attitude of roll and pitch axes by 5∘ within 8 s, 10∘ within 10 s, and 60∘ within 25 s.

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.1 Pleiades satellite. © CNES/Mira Productions/Rémy PAROT, 2012.

1.2.2: Worldview series satellites

Worldview series satellite system is developed by American Digital Earth company to replace QuickBird series satellites as a new generation of commercial imaging satellite system. WorldView- I and WorldView-II satellites belonging to this series were launched in 2007 and 2009, respectively. Both satellites adopt a modular design scheme. Compared with WorldView- I, WorldView-II has added new remote sensing equipment and installed a vibration isolation system to suppress satellite chattering and improve imaging quality. Both two satellites adopt three-axis stabilized attitude control system, including star sensor, GPS, inertial measurement unit, CMG, etc., which have ± 40∘ mobility of sub satellite points. WorldView-I has attitude angular acceleration of 2.5∘/s² and attitude angular velocity of 4.5∘/s. WorldView-II can provide attitude angular acceleration of 1.5∘/s² and attitude angular velocity of 3.5∘/s. The corresponding distance to the ground that the satellite can maneuver in 9 s is 300 km.

1.2.3: CartoSat-2

Cartosat-2 is a high-resolution imaging satellite developed by the Indian Space Research Institute. It was successfully launched in 2007. Cartosat-2 adopts lightweight and compact structure design and carries a panchromatic sensor with a resolution of 0.8 m (at present, India is developing a cartosat-3 satellite with a resolution of 0.5 m). The imaging width is 9.6 km and the revisit cycle is 4 days. The satellite also carries an experimental recovery capsule and returned to the ground 12 days after launch to do preliminary experimental work for India’s manned