A study of reaction wheel configurations for a 3-axis satellite attitude control

The satellite reaction wheel’s configuration plays also an important role in providing the attitude control torques. Several configurations based on three or four reaction wheels are investigated in order to identify the most suitable orientation that consumes a minimum power. Such information in a coherent form is not summarized in any publication; and therefore, an extensive literature search is required to obtain these results. In addition, most of the available results are from different test conditions; hence, making them difficult for comparison purposes. In this work, the standard reaction wheel control and angular momentum unloading schemes are adopted for all the reaction wheel configurations. The schemes will be presented together with their governing equations, making them fully amenable to numerical treatments. Numerical simulations are then performed for all the possible reaction wheel configurations with respect to an identical reference mission. All the configurations are analyzed in terms of their torques, momentums and attitude control performances. Based on the simulations, the reaction wheel configuration that has a minimum total control torque level is identified, which also corresponds to the configuration with minimum power consumption.     

Active detumbling technology for noncooperative space target with energy dissipation

Space debris is generally a kind of tumbling noncooperative space target which poses a serious threat to human space activities. In active debris removal (ADR) missions, capturing a space target directly may cause damage to space manipulator and chaser satellite, so it is a feasible strategy to reduce the angular velocity of space target to an acceptable range in the pre-capture phase. In this paper, an active detumbling technology for a free-floating tumbling space target with energy dissipation is studied, and an effective detumbling method utilizing intermittent contact impact between the space target and despin mechanism is proposed. First, the dynamic model of the space target is set up by the Jourdain’s velocity variation principle. Then, a contact model between the space target and despin mechanism is established based on the Hertz contact theory and the method of computer graphics. Finally, the detumbling method is validated by numerical simulations. Simulation results show that our method can reduce the angular velocity of the space target effectively without causing large nutation.     

利用地磁场给飞轮卸载的新方法

通过对圆轨道地磁场强度的变化规律分析 ,将卫星磁力矩器产生的磁矩按傅立叶级数展开 ,根据卫星所需卸载角动量大小 ,按照最优控制理论求出三轴磁矩取值 ,得出飞轮卸载控制律。最后文章给出飞轮卸载稳定性分析和仿真结果 ,表明这种飞轮卸载方法简单而且省能量。     

基于LQR的小卫星磁姿态控制设计

 研究仅采用磁力矩器作为执行机构的近地小卫星姿态控制问题。通过对刚体卫星的非线性动力学和运动学方程在平衡点处进行线性化处理,得到一个线性周期时变系统,应用线性二次最优调节器理论设计出最优磁矩控制律。最后针对某小卫星进行了仿真验证,结果表明所设计的最优控制律可以很好地完成三轴姿态稳定任务。     

Jitter reduction of a reaction wheel by management of angular momentum using magnetic torquers in nano- and micro-satellites

Nowadays, nano- and micro-satellites, which are smaller than conventional large satellites, provide access to space to many satellite developers, and they are attracting interest as an application of space development because development is possible over shorter time period at a lower cost. In most of these nano- and micro-satellite missions, the satellites generally must meet strict attitude requirements for obtaining scientific data under strict constraints of power consumption, space, and weight. In many satellite missions, the jitter of a reaction wheel degrades the performance of the mission detectors and attitude sensors; therefore, jitter should be controlled or isolated to reduce its effect on sensor devices. In conventional standard-sized satellites, tip-tilt mirrors (TTMs) and isolators are used for controlling or isolating the vibrations from reaction wheels; however, it is difficult to use these devices for nano- and micro-satellite missions under the strict power, space, and mass constraints. In this research, the jitter of reaction wheels is reduced by using accurate sensors, small reaction wheels, and slow rotation frequency reaction wheel instead of TTMs and isolators. The objective of a reaction wheel in many satellite missions is the management of the satellite’s angular momentum, which increases because of attitude disturbances. If the magnitude of the disturbance is reduced in orbit or on the ground, the magnitude of the angular momentum that the reaction wheels gain from attitude disturbances in orbit becomes smaller; therefore, satellites can stabilize their attitude using only smaller reaction wheels or slow rotation speed, which cause relatively smaller vibration. In nano- and micro-satellite missions, the dominant attitude disturbance is a magnetic torque, which can be cancelled by using magnetic actuators. With the magnetic compensation, the satellite reduces the angular momentum that the reaction wheels gain, and therefore, satellites do not require large reaction wheels and higher rotation speed, which cause jitter. As a result, the satellite can reduce the effect of jitter without using conventional isolators and TTMs. Hence, the satellites can achieve precise attitude control under low power, space, and mass constraints using this proposed method. Through the example of an astronomical observation mission using nano- and micro-satellites, it is demonstrated that the jitter reduction using small reaction wheels is feasible in nano- and micro-satellites.     

飞轮控制的欠驱动刚体航天器姿态控制器设计

针对"三正交加斜装"反作用轮系统中某两个本体轴上的飞轮失效的欠驱动情况,研究了航天器的姿态控制问题.在系统初始角动量为零的条件下,设计分段解耦控制律,实现了姿态稳定.采用欧拉角描述法建立了欠驱动航天器的姿态动力学方程和运动学方程.在系统初始角动量为零的条件下,通过分析方程的解耦特性,设计了分段解耦控制律.该方法经过6次机动控制,可实现姿态稳定.数值仿真验证了方法的有效性.     

带偏置点的绳系拖拽离轨系统动力学研究

考虑空间拖船利用飞网/飞爪对空间残骸捕获结束后绳系拖拽系统的动力学特性,开展了基于简化的带偏置点构型的建模及仿真研究.首先,捕获后的组合体包括空间拖船、系绳和空间残骸,系绳在空间残骸一端的牵挂点看作偏置点,给出相应的的绳系拖拽系统构型;其次,以降轨离轨过程为例,建立系统能量方程,并根据欧拉-拉格朗日方程给出系统的动力学表达式并估算系绳张紧情况下的平衡点;最后,设定离轨推力,在不同的初始角速度、系绳张紧或松弛以及不同松弛程度条件下,分析绳系拖拽离轨系统的动力学行为.研究表明,空间残骸小的初始角速度和张紧或略微松弛的系绳能够保证安全离轨.     

Deorbiter CubeSat mission design

This paper presents the mission design for a CubeSat-based active debris removal approach intended for transferring sizable debris objects from low-Earth orbit to a deorbit altitude of 100 km. The mission consists of a mothership spacecraft that carries and deploys several debris-removing nanosatellites, called Deorbiter CubeSats. Each Deorbiter is designed based on the utilization of an eight-unit CubeSat form factor and commercially-available components with significant flight heritage. The mothership spacecraft delivers Deorbiter CubeSats to the vicinity of a predetermined target debris, through performing a long-range rendezvous maneuver. Through a formation flying maneuver, the mothership then performs in-situ measurements of debris shape and orbital state. Upon release from the mothership, each Deorbiter CubeSat proceeds to performing a rendezvous and attachment maneuver with a debris object. Once attached to the debris, the CubeSat performs a detumbling maneuver, by which the residual angular momentum of the CubeSat-debris system is dumped using Deorbiter’s onboard reaction wheels. After stabilizing the attitude motion of the combined Deorbiter-debris system, the CubeSat proceeds to performing a deorbiting maneuver, i.e., reducing system’s altitude so much so that the bodies disintegrate and burn up due to atmospheric drag, typically at around 100 km above the Earth surface. The attitude and orbital maneuvers that are planned for the mission are described, both for the mothership and Deorbiter CubeSat. The performance of each spacecraft during their operations is investigated, using the actual performance specifications of the onboard components. The viability of the proposed debris removal approach is discussed in light of the results.     

基于混合执行机构的敏捷卫星姿态机动控制

单框架控制力矩陀螺(SGCMGs,single gimbal control moment gyros)的奇异问题是其在使用过程中面临的主要问题.将构型奇异度量作为路径约束,采用高斯伪谱法进行轨迹优化,得到一组无奇异框架角,并以相应的SGCMGs框架转速作为开环指令进行控制.考虑初始姿态偏差及外干扰不确定因素的影响故引入反作用动量轮(RWs,reaction wheels),并基于Lyapunov稳定性设计了RWs的控制律进行闭环修正.仿真结果表明,采用混合执行机构能够保证卫星在外干扰等因素影响下,以最优轨迹的SGCMGs无奇异框架转速指令实现对最优轨迹的跟踪.     

空间平台姿态联合控制律设计

空间平台发射有效载荷会对平台姿态产生很大的扰动,为快速消除扰动影响并使平台稳定,选取推力器与反作用飞轮进行姿态联合稳定控制,提出了基于推力器的极小时间控制律和基于反作用飞轮的滑模变结构控制律,前者用于快速抑制扰动,后者用于姿态精确稳定,并提出一种控制律切换方法.对空间动能发射后平台的姿态稳定过程进行数学仿真,结果表明,设计的姿态联合控制律能够快速抑制平台姿态扰动,最终消除挠性部件振动达到精确稳定.     

冗余飞轮姿控系统控制分配与重构研究

针对具有多冗余执行机构的航天器姿态控制系统,给出了处理冗余的控制分配方案,该方案考虑了幅值和速度约束条件并实现了二次最优．仿真验证了分配环节的有效性,并比较了不同求解算法下的动态分配效果．针对执行机构可能出现的故障,提出了结合故障诊断与隔离系统的执行环节控制重构方法,实现了机构故障下的容错控制,通过卫星姿态跟踪控制仿真,验证了分配和重构环节与控制回路的相容性．     

一种轮控卫星姿态机动变结构控制器

针对小卫星3轴反作用轮姿态控制系统的非线性特性,应用误差四元数来描述姿态运动,将星体大角度姿态机动问题转化为误差四元数的调节问题.利用误差四元数和误差角速度建立滑动模态,并基于Lyapunov定理推导出一种姿态机动的引入角加速度负反馈的变结构控制律.仿真结果表明,该控制律能够提高收敛速度,降低机动过程中角速度的超调量和对起始力矩的要求.同时,在模型参数不确定和有外干扰的情况下该控制律也具有全局稳定性和鲁棒性.      

A deorbiter CubeSat for active orbital debris removal

This paper introduces a mission concept for active removal of orbital debris based on the utilization of the CubeSat form factor. The CubeSat is deployed from a carrier spacecraft, known as a mothership, and is equipped with orbital and attitude control actuators to attach to the target debris, stabilize its attitude, and subsequently move the debris to a lower orbit where atmospheric drag is high enough for the bodies to burn up. The mass and orbit altitude of debris objects that are within the realms of the CubeSat’s propulsion capabilities are identified. The attitude control schemes for the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission are specified. The objective of the deorbiting maneuver is to decrease the semi-major axis of the debris orbit, at the fastest rate, from its initial value to a final value of about 6471?km (i.e., 100?km above Earth considering a circular orbit) via a continuous low-thrust orbital transfer. Two case studies are investigated to verify the performance of the deorbiter CubeSat during the detumbling and deorbiting phases of the mission. The baseline target debris used in the study are the decommissioned KOMPSAT-1 satellite and the Pegasus rocket body. The results show that the deorbiting times for the target debris are reduced significantly, from several decades to one or two years.     

基于矢量观测的陀螺故障诊断算法

卫星在轨运行期间, 采用反作用轮进行姿态控制及推力器进行位置保持, 星体惯量会发生改变并存在控制力矩. 提出了一种基于运动学方程的矢量观测算法应用于陀螺故障诊断, 采用广义罗德里格参数描述卫星姿态, 避免了四元数在计算过程中出现模值不为一的情况; 计算过程中采用四元数进行姿态运动学计算, 避免了广义罗格里德参数复杂的积分运算. 针对陀螺突变和缓变两种故障, 分别在角速度幅值变化很小和幅值缓慢减小两类情况下进行仿真. 仿真结果表明, 该算法可有效估计星体角速度, 在上述两类情况下均能准确地对突变和缓变故障进行诊断, 不受星体惯量变化和控制力矩的影响, 并且计算量较小, 对工程应用具有较好的参考价值.      

Magnetogasdynamic shock wave generated by a moving piston in a rotational axisymmetric isothermal flow of perfect gas with variable density

The propagation of a strong cylindrical shock wave in an ideal gas with azimuthal magnetic field, and with or without axisymmetric rotational effects, is investigated. The shock wave is driven out by a piston moving with time according to power law. The ambient medium is assumed to have radial, axial and azimuthal component of fluid velocities. The fluid velocities, the initial density and the initial magnetic field of the ambient medium are assumed to be varying and obey power laws. Solutions are obtained, when the flow between the shock and the piston is isothermal. The gas is assumed to have infinite electrical conductivity and the angular velocity of the ambient medium is assumed to be decreasing as the distance from the axis increases. It is expected that such an angular velocity may occur in the atmospheres of rotating planets and stars. The shock wave moves with variable velocity and the total energy of the wave is non-constant. The effects of variation of the initial density and the Alfven-Mach number on the flow-field are obtained. A comparison is also made between rotating and non-rotating cases.     

一种抑制反作用轮低速摩擦对卫星姿态扰动的方法

在现代卫星的姿态控制系统中,反作用轮得到了广泛应用。但是当反作用轮的转速过零时,摩擦力矩会对卫星的姿态产生较大影响。本文采用基于特征模型的黄金分割自适应控制方法,建立了包括反作用轮在内的卫星系统的特征模型,并由此设计了控制律。仿真结果表明,该方法可以有效抑制反作用轮低速摩擦对卫星姿态的扰动,从而可以提高卫星姿态控制精度。     

Testing the asymmetric cone model for halo CMEs using STEREO/SECCHI coronagraphic observations

Space weather is significantly controlled by halo coronal mass ejections (HCMEs) originating close to the central meridian and directing toward the Earth. Unfortunately, coronagraphic observations (especially for HCMEs) are subject to a projection effect which makes it impossible to determine the true radial velocity and width of CMEs. However, these parameters can be estimated by correcting for the projection effect using the asymmetric cone model (Michalek, 2006). A set of 20 CMEs, observed as halo events in the LASCO field of view and simultaneously as limb events in the STEREO/SECCHI field of view, are used to check the accuracy of the asymmetric cone model. For this purpose, characteristics of the considered CMEs (angular widths and radial speeds) measured in STEREO/SECCHI images are compared with those obtained by the asymmetric cone model. We demonstrate that the widths and speeds determined by both methods are very similar. Correlation coefficients for speeds and angular widths are 0.99 and 0.96, respectively. We have also shown that the projection effect is unpredictable and could sometimes be very significant (up to 100% of the velocity measured in the LASCO field of view). On average, the SOHO/LASCO projected speeds for the HCMEs are 23% smaller than the radial velocities obtained from the STEREO/SECCHI images.     

Adaptive sliding mode fault-tolerant control for satellite attitude tracking system

In this paper, an adaptive modified sliding mode control approach is developed for attitude tracking of a nano-satellite with three magnetorquers and one reaction wheel. A sliding variable is chosen based on finite-time convergence of the nano-satellite attitude tracking error and avoiding the singularity of the control signal. The control gain of the proposed method is developed adaptively to reduce the tracking error and improve the closed-loop control performance. The sliding variable and adaptive parameter are also employed in the reaching phase of the control law to decrease the chattering phenomenon. In addition, the finite-time convergence of attitude variables in the presence of actuator faults, inertia uncertainty, and external disturbances is proved using the extended Lyapunov theorem. The simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed method according to different evaluation criteria. Monte Carlo simulations are also used to survey the reliability of the system in the presence of the mentioned condition.     

ESO-based event-triggered attitude control of spacecraft with unknown actuator faults

An event-triggered control strategy based on extended state observer (ESO) is proposed for the attitude tracking problem of small plug-and-play spacecraft with uncertain inertia parameters, external disturbances, and actuator faults. A simplified controller is developed based on the angular velocity and the general disturbances estimated by the provided ESO using the information of the system inputs and the angular velocities. In the designed event-triggered sampling mechanism, a state-dependent event-triggered strategy determines the triggering instant of the controller to reduce the frequency of information transmission between the controller and the actuator. In comparison with the previous literature, this paper considers uncertain inertia parameters, external disturbances, and actuator faults as general disturbances estimated by ESO, especially for the actuator faults. The inputs of ESO are the error of the angular velocities, which can simplify the controller design. Moreover, the designed ESO can effectively attenuate the influence of measured noises generated by the gyroscopes. The proposed event-triggered policy balances the performance of event-triggering and the control stability performance, which reduces the final state convergence regions without increasing more triggering times compared to existing studies. Furthermore, the investigated policy achieves Zeno-free triggering. Numerical simulations verify theoretical results.     

纯磁控微小卫星姿态控制研究

针对微小卫星速率阻尼、姿态捕获及三轴稳定的不同姿态控制模式,设计了采用纯磁控的控制律.首先以轨道坐标系为参考建立卫星模型,然后在卫星能量分析和Lyapunov稳定方法基础上,应用B-dot控制进行速率阻尼,给出了全局稳定能量控制来进行姿态捕获和三轴稳定控制的新方法,同时根据线性化的卫星模型,设计了常系数LQG控制律.仿真结果表明,B-dot可以有效地进行速率阻尼,能量控制策略适用于大角度姿态捕获和三轴稳定,稳定控制时LQG与能量控制相比具有更高的精度,但稳定度略差.