Robust fault-tolerant attitude control of spacecraft using hybrid actuators
Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
ISSN: 0002-2667
Article publication date: 8 June 2021
Issue publication date: 31 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address the spacecraft attitude control problem using hybrid actuators in the presence of actuator saturation, uncertainties and faults, inertia uncertainties and external disturbances.
Design/methodology/approach
A hybrid actuator configuration is used where thrusters are engaged for rapid attitude maneuvers, while reaction wheels (RWs) are used for fine pointing.
Findings
The key advantages are two-fold: a finite-time high-level controller is designed to produce the three-axis virtual control torques; an online robust control allocation (RobCA) scheme is proposed to redistribute virtual control signals to the actuators with taking into account the actuator saturation, uncertainties and faults; and the RobCA scheme allows a smooth switch between thrusters and RWs, which handles the inaccuracy problem of thrusters and saturation problem of RWs.
Practical implications
An online RobCA algorithm is designed that maps the total control demands onto individual actuator settings and allows a smooth switch between thrusters and RWs. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Originality/value
This work may be used on modern space missions, which impose higher requirements on smooth switching of spacecraft thrusters and RWs.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the handling Associate Editor and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments that helped to improve the quality of this article significantly.
Citation
Xu, Y. (2022), "Robust fault-tolerant attitude control of spacecraft using hybrid actuators", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 94 No. 5, pp. 649-666. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-09-2020-0200
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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