Position and Attitude Control of Deep-Space Spacecraft Formation Flying Via Virtual Structure and 9-D Technique
Abstract
Control of deep-space spacecraft formation flying is investigated in this paper using the virtual structure approach and the theta-D suboptimal control technique. The circular restricted three-body problem with the Sun and the Earth as the two primaries is utilized as a framework for study and a two-satellite formation flying scheme is considered. The virtual structure is stationkept in a nominal orbit around the L2 libration point. A maneuver mode of formation flying is then considered. Each spacecraft is required to maneuver to a new position and the formation line-of-sight is required to rotate to a desired orientation to acquire new science targets. During the rotation, the formation needs to be maintained and each spacecraft's attitude must align with the rotating formation orientation. The basic strategy is used on a `Virtual structure' approach. A nonlinear model is developed that describes the relative formation dynamics. This highly nonlinear position and attitude control problem is solved by employing a recently developed nonlinear control approach, called the theta-D technique. This method is based on solution to the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation and yields a closed-form suboptimal feedback solution. The controller is designed such that the relative position error of the formation is maintained within one centimeter accuracy.
Recommended Citation
M. Xin et al., "Position and Attitude Control of Deep-Space Spacecraft Formation Flying Via Virtual Structure and 9-D Technique," Proceedings of the AIAA 2005 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit (2005, San Francisco, CA), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Aug 2005.
Meeting Name
AIAA 2005 Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit (2005: Aug. 15-18, San Francisco, CA)
Department(s)
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
Bellman Theory; Hamilton-Jacobi Equation; Lagrangian Equilibium Points; Control Systems Design; Deep Space; Formation Flying; Satellite Attitude Control; Satellite Orientation; Three Body Problem
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2005 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
18 Aug 2005
