Singularity avoidance of control moment gyros by one-step ahead singularity index

A steering law of control moment gyros for spacecraft attitude control by using one-step ahead singularity index is addressed in this paper. In some recent studies, the null motion approaches or singularity robustness steering laws have been extensively investigated to avoid singular configurations for a control momentum gyro (CMG) cluster. As a novel approach different from them, the proposed approach is based on optimization technique by minimizing the one-step ahead singularity index. Modified approaches are also presented in this paper. The proposed one-step prediction method ultimately gives an optimized solution of gimbal rates with advanced ability to avoid a singularity. A singularity index for reliable computation of a gradient vector is also introduced. Finally, performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated by numerical simulations.     

Real-time spacecraft intercept strategy on J2-perturbed orbits

A real-time intercept strategy for spacecraft under the non-uniform gravitational perturbation of Earth is addressed in this paper. To intercept a target spacecraft on general conic sections, an interceptor considered in this work makes use of a thruster propelling the constant thrust which is comparable to unrealistic impulse-type thrust. The $J_2$ perturbation introduces critical dynamic variations of spacecraft orbiting the Earth, which results in a considerable amount of position error of the interceptor at the final intercept point. In order to release the burden of $J_2$ disturbance and make the miss distance between the target and interceptor small, a real-time intercept technique with an optimal intercept algorithm is suggested. The strategy proposed is to obtain an optimized output iteratively for a given time interval with previously obtained optimal values. These parameters are evaluated by the optimal intercept algorithm suggested. Once the optimal velocity change is obtained to satisfy intercept requirements, although the orbital system is perturbed, it is easy to regenerate a new solution by setting the previous solution as new initial guesses. This strategy is employed iteratively until the interceptor meets the target. Several numerical simulations are performed to highlight the proposed real-time strategy for spacecraft intercept missions.     

Feasible angular momentum of spacecraft installed with control moment gyros

In this paper, a fundamental approach to analyzing the maneuverability of spacecraft with mounted control moment gyros is addressed by searching feasible angular momentum. The geometrical array of control moment gyros considered is a roof array also known as a 2-SPEED system. Due to the simplicity of the singularity envelope of the array considered, it is reasonably practical to conduct rotational performance analysis of the spacecraft. This maneuverability analysis technique uses a unique chart developed in this work, which allows a guaranteed maximum torque output and angular momentum at any time without concern about the singularity problem of the control moment gyros. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to provide a conservative method for maneuverability analysis of a spacecraft with installed control moment gyros by searching allowable maximum angular momentum. This method is demonstrated using an illustrative example.     

Adaptive attitude control of spacecraft using neural networks

An adaptive control technique can be applicable to reorient spacecraft with uncertain properties such as mass, inertial and various misalignments. A nonlinear quaternion feedback controller is chosen as a baseline attitude controller. A linearly added adaptive input supported by neural networks to the baseline controller can estimate and eliminate the uncertain spacecraft property adaptively. The normalized input neural networks (NINNs) are examined for reliable computation of the adaptive input. The newly defined learning rules of the neural networks are established appropriately for a spacecraft. To prove the stability of the closed-loop dynamics with the control law, Lyapunov stability theory is considered. As a result, the proposed approach results in the uniform ultimate boundedness in tracking error and robustness of the chattering and the singularity problems.