Multi-objective output-feedback control for microsatellite attitude control: An LMI approach

Mixed H₂/H_∞ output-feedback controller with pole placement constraints against the internal uncertainty of moment-of-inertia variation and space environmental disturbances is proposed for mircosatellite attitude control. The multi-objective controller is designed based on linear model of attitude dynamics. The H_∞ performance takes into account both robustness stability against moments-of-inertia uncertainty and the disturbance rejection aspect. H₂ performance takes into account the LQG aspect which avoids the undesirable wheels’ saturation effect. In addition, the closed-loop poles can be forced into some sector of the stable half-plane to obtain well-damped transient responses. The problem is then reduced to a convex optimization involving linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), so it can be efficiently solved. The simulation results demonstrate that the presented mixed H₂/H_∞ control system is robust stable and optimal in the sense of H₂ norm, and has good steady-state and dynamic performances against the parameter uncertainties and various disturbances for the microsatellite attitude control system.     

Orbital corrections by a single-input impulsive control applied along the geomagnetic field

This paper examines the possibility of regular orbital corrections for a satellite controlled by an impulsive force applied along the induction vector of the local geomagnetic field. The main purpose of the correcting considered in the paper is to eliminate the drift in secular variation of the relative orbital parameters over the orbital period. The obtained results are applied to the formation flying problem. The developed method is tested using numerical simulation.     

Sporadic structures and small-scale irregularity in the nighttime polar ionosphere in the period of high solar activity according to the data of radio occultation measurements on satellite-to-satellite paths

Results of the analysis of 327 sessions of radio occultation on satellite-to-satellite paths are presented. The data are taken in the nighttime polar ionosphere in the regions with latitudes of 67°–88°, and in the period of high solar activity from October 26, 2003 to November 9, 2003. Typical ionospheric changes in the amplitude and phase of decimeter radio waves on paths GPS satellites-CHAMP satellite are presented. It is demonstrated that these data make it possible to determine characteristics of the sporadic E _s structures in the lower ionosphere at heights of 75–120 km. Histograms of distribution of the lower and upper boundaries, thickness, and intensity of the E _s structures are presented. Dispersion and spectra of amplitude fluctuations of decimeter radio waves caused by small-scale irregularity of the ionospheric plasma are analyzed. The relation of the polar E _s structures and intensity of small-scale plasma irregularity to various manifestations of solar activity is discussed. The efficiency of monitoring the ionospheric disturbances caused by shock waves of the solar wind by the radio occultation method on satellite-to-satellite paths is demonstrated.     

Turbulent fluctuations of plasma and magnetic field parameters in the magnetosheath and the low-latitude boundary layer formation: Multisatellite observations on March 2, 1996

The results of simultaneous analysis of plasma and magnetic field characteristics measured on the INTERBALL/Tail Probe, WIND and Geotail satellites on March 2, 1996, are presented. During these observations the INTERBALL/Tail Probe crossed the low-latitude boundary layer, and the WIND and Geotail satellites measured the solar wind’s and magnetosheath’s parameters, respectively. The plasma and magnetic field characteristics in these regions have been compared. The data of the Corall, Electron, and MIF instruments on the INTERBALL/Tail Probe satellite are analyzed. Fluctuations of the magnetic field components and plasma velocity in the solar wind and magnetosheath, measured onboard the WIND and Geotail satellites, are compared. The causes resulting in appearance of plasma jet flows in the low-latitude boundary layer are analyzed. The amplitude of magnetic field fluctuations in the magnetosheath for a studied magnetosphere boundary crossing is shown to exceed the magnetic field value below the magnetopause near the cusp. The possibility of local violation of pressure balance on the magnetopause is discussed, as well as penetration of magnetosheath plasma into the magnetosphere, as a result of magnetic field and plasma flux fluctuations in the magnetosheath.     

A mechanism for generating magnetic field by vortex processes in stellar plasma

The difference in viscous properties of proton and electron gases in fully ionized hydrogen plasma is shown to result in a possibility of generation in this plasma of the magnetic field, even if initially there was no field. As an example, a simplified planar stationary model of a magnetohydrodynamic process of the eddy sink type is considered. It is demonstrated that the intensity of the generated magnetic field strongly depends on plasma temperature, so that the range T = 100000–500000 K corresponds to the range of maximum magnetic induction B = 50–2700 G. Such values are frequently observed in ordinary stars, in particular, in solar flares.     

Estimation of dynamic characteristics of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">International Space Station</Emphasis> from measurements of microaccelerations

We describe the results of determining the mass of the International Space Station using the data of MAMS accelerometer taken during correction of the station orbit on August 20, 2004. The correction was made by approach and attitude control engines (ACE) of the Progress transporting spacecraft. The engines were preliminary calibrated in an autonomous flight using the onboard device for measuring apparent velocity increment. The method of calibration is described and its results are presented. The error in station mass determination is about 1%. The same data of MAMS and similar data obtained during the orbit correction on August 26, 2004 were used for the analysis of high-frequency vibrations of the station mainframe caused by operation of the ACE of Progress. Natural frequencies of the ACE are determined. They lie in the frequency band 0.024–0.11 Hz. ACE operation is demonstrated to result in a substantial increase of microaccelerations onboard the station in the frequency range 0–1 Hz. The frequencies are indicated at which disturbances increase by more than an order of magnitude. The study described was carried out as a part of the Tensor technological experiment.     

Nonlinear H∞ based underactuated attitude control for small satellites with two reaction wheels

Underactuated attitude control is supposed to be used on spacecraft when failure happens with onboard actuators. One main problem with existing underactuated attitude control designs is their limited capabilities against disturbances. In order to solve this problem, an approach based on the theory of H∞$H\infty$ is proposed in this paper. Two propositions are derived from the H∞$H\infty$ theory to improve the robustness of one popular underactuated attitude control design, which was presented by Tsiotras et al. It is proved mathematically that the controller satisfying these two propositions respectively can stabilize the underactuated attitude system locally or globally. The numerical simulations show that the improved controllers based on the H∞$H\infty$ theory could provide higher pointing accuracy for small satellites against disturbances. This validates the effectiveness of the proposed H∞$H\infty$ based approach to improve existing underactuated attitude control designs.     

Numerical simulation of circulation of the Titan’s atmosphere: Interpretation of measurements of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Huygens</Emphasis> probe

The results of numerical simulation of the general circulation in the Titan’s atmosphere at heights from 0 to 250 km are presented, obtained using a new model based on numerical solution of complete equations of motion of viscous compressible gas at the temperature distribution given by an empirical model. The model uses no hydrostatic equation and, as compared with traditional models, has higher resolution in vertical and over horizon. The results presented differ from results of other models and agree with the vertical profile of the zonal component of wind velocity measured by the Huygens spacecraft. Interpretation of this profile is given, including its main peculiarity consisting in a nonmonotonic behavior at heights from 60 to 75 km.