Optimal Aerodynamic Attitude Stabilization of Near Earth Satellites,
Abstract
A near Earth satellite orbiting in the altitude range of 15 km to 450 km encounters small but non-negligible aerodynamic forces. It is possible to generate sufficient aerodynamic torques by providing 'all-moving' control surfaces of suitable size to achieve active attitude control. This report is a preliminary study of such an active attitude control system. The satellite configuration considered has four all-moving control surfaces and the dominant gravity gradient torques and aerodynamic torques are considered in the analysis. The resulting equations of motion are linearized and modern optimal control theory concepts are applied to synthesize a feedback control surfaces to obtain the necessary control torques. The numerical studies carried out indicate that it is possible to control a near Earth satellite by using control surfaces of reasonable size. Damping times of the order of from a few orbits to a fraction of an orbit seem reasonable. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0732930
Entities
People
- Rangaswamy Ravindran
Organizations
- University of Toronto