Date of Award

3-2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Richard G. Cobb, PhD

Abstract

This research investigated hybrid control strategies for rapid satellite pointing. First, a detailed computer simulation model of AFIT's SIMSAT satellite simulator was constructed. Control strategies were developed to enable the system to perform large-angle, 3-axis slewing maneuvers using a combination of both thrusters and reaction wheels. To handle the non-linear model, a State Dependent Riccati Equation controller was programmed and successfully controlled the computer-modeled satellite for any given slewing maneuver. A simpler PD controller was then programmed and demonstrated on the computer simulation of SIMSAT, using a combination of thruster and reaction wheel control inputs for large-angle single axis maneuvers and for small angles using three-axis control. There was good agreement between the experimentally obtained maneuver results and those produced with the computer simulation model for the single-axis case. Lastly, the trade-off between settling time and thruster fuel is discussed, as well as the variation of gains required to achieve maximum performance for a desired slew.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GA-ENY-03-2

DTIC Accession Number

ADA412869

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Astrodynamics Commons

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