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Article
Publication date: 14 October 2020

Yew-Chung Chak, Renuganth Varatharajoo and Nima Assadian

The paper aims to address the combined attitude control and Sun tracking problem in a flexible spacecraft in the presence of external and internal disturbances. The attitude…

207

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to address the combined attitude control and Sun tracking problem in a flexible spacecraft in the presence of external and internal disturbances. The attitude stabilization of a flexible satellite is generally a challenging control problem, because of the facts that satellite kinematic and dynamic equations are inherently nonlinear, the rigid–flexible coupling dynamical effect, as well as the uncertainty that arises from the effect of actuator anomalies.

Design/methodology/approach

To deal with these issues in the combined attitude and Sun tracking system, a novel control scheme is proposed based on the adaptive fuzzy Jacobian approach. The augmented spacecraft model is then analyzed and the Lyapunov-based backstepping method is applied to develop a nonlinear three-axis attitude pointing control law and the adaptation law.

Findings

Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive control scheme in simultaneously tracking the desired attitude and the Sun.

Practical implications

Reaction wheels are commonly used in many spacecraft systems for the three-axis attitude control by delivering precise torques. If a reaction wheel suffers from an irreversible mechanical breakdown, then it is likely going to interrupt the mission, or even leading to a catastrophic loss. The pitch-axis mounted solar array drive assemblies (SADAs) can be exploited to anticipate such situation to generate a differential torque. As the solar panels are rotated by the SADAs to be orientated relative to the Sun, the pitch-axis wheel control torque demand can be compensated by the differential torque.

Originality/value

The proposed Jacobian control scheme is inspired by the knowledge of Jacobian matrix in the trajectory tracking of robotic manipulators.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 19 May 2022

Sohaib Aslam, Yew-Chung Chak, Mujtaba Hussain Jaffery and Renuganth Varatharajoo

The satellite pointing accuracy plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful satellite mission itself. Therefore, this paper aims to enhance the attitude pointing accuracy of the…

135

Abstract

Purpose

The satellite pointing accuracy plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful satellite mission itself. Therefore, this paper aims to enhance the attitude pointing accuracy of the combined energy and attitude control system (CEACS) in a satellite in the presence of external disturbance torques through a robust controller, which can produce high pointing accuracies with smaller control torques.

Design/methodology/approach

To improve the CEACS attitude pointing accuracy, a maiden fuzzy proportional derivative (PD)-based CEACS architecture is proposed. The mathematical models along with its numerical treatments of the fuzzy PD-based CEACS attitude control architecture are presented. In addition, a comparison between the PD and fuzzy PD controllers in terms of the CEACS pointing accuracies and control torques is provided.

Findings

Numerical results show that the fuzzy PD controller produces a considerable CEACS pointing accuracy improvement for a lower control torque compartment.

Practical implications

CEACS has gained a renew interest because of significant increase in the projected onboard power requirements for future space missions. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to improve the CEACS pointing accuracy itself with a minimum control torque compartment. In fact, this proposed fuzzy PD controller is shown to be a potential CEACS attitude controller.

Originality/value

The fuzzy PD-based CEACS architecture not only provides a better attitude pointing accuracy but also ensures a lower control torque compartment, which corresponds to a lower onboard power consumption.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2015

Yew-Chung Chak and Renuganth Varatharajoo

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical design for the alternative attitude control of the rotation about the pitch axis for the nadir-pointing spacecraft in the…

301

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical design for the alternative attitude control of the rotation about the pitch axis for the nadir-pointing spacecraft in the event of inertial actuator faults.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a novel and viable solution to that problem using the combined attitude and sun tracking system (CASTS) that was conceived from an engineering problem-solving toolkit called TRIZ. Linear and fuzzy controllers are used to test the spacecraft CASTS architecture. All the relevant governing equations of the control system and disturbance rejection methods are developed.

Findings

The performance of the proposed CASTS control strategy is tested through numerical simulations. The results strongly suggest that the novel proposed control scheme is effective and promising for controlling the satellite attitude and sun tracking simultaneously in the presence of disturbance torques.

Research limitations/implications

This work is mainly focused on the rigid body of the spacecraft hub that contains all attitude control hardware and payload instrumentation, and does not deal with the vibrations evolving from the propellant sloshing and large flexible appendages such as the deployable solar panels and synthetic aperture radar antennas.

Practical implications

The results from this work reveal several practical applications worthy of reducing the weight, size of the spacecraft and, therefore, cost of missions while increasing the instrumentation capabilities.

Originality/value

The proposed CASTS solution is a result of looking much wider than one system from a new combination of attitude control and sun tracking, as well as innovative ways of using it.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

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Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Mohd Badrul Salleh, Nurulasikin Mohd Suhadis and Renuganth Varatharajoo

This paper aims to investigate the attitude control pointing improvement for a small satellite with control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) using the active force control (AFC) method.

74

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the attitude control pointing improvement for a small satellite with control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) using the active force control (AFC) method.

Design/methodology/approach

The AFC method is developed with its governing equations and integrated into the conventional proportional-derivative (PD) controller of a closed-loop satellite attitude control system. Two numerical simulations of an identical attitude control mission namely the PD controller and the PD+AFC controller were carried out using the MATLAB®-SimulinkTM software and their attitude control performances were demonstrated accordingly.

Findings

Having the PD+AFC controller, the attitude maneuver can be completed within the desired slew rate, which is about 2.14 degree/s and the attitude pointing accuracies for the roll, pitch and yaw angles have improved significantly by more than 85% in comparison with the PD controller alone. Moreover, the implementation of the AFC into the conventional PD controller does not cause significant difference on the physical structure of the four single gimbal CMGs (4-SGCMGs).

Practical implications

To achieve a precise attitude pointing mission, the AFC method can be applied directly to the existing conventional PD attitude control system of a CMG-based satellite. In this case, the AFC is indeed the backbone for the satellite attitude performance improvement.

Originality/value

The present study demonstrates that the attitude pointing of a small satellite with CMGs is improved through the implementation of the AFC scheme into the PD controller.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 1 April 2005

Renuganth Varatharajoo and Ralph Kahle

To compare the conventional reaction wheel and battery systems with the combined energy and attitude control system. The system mass, volume and power requirements are revealed…

745

Abstract

Purpose

To compare the conventional reaction wheel and battery systems with the combined energy and attitude control system. The system mass, volume and power requirements are revealed corresponding to the small satellite missions.

Design/methodology/approach

All the relevant system parametric equations are established. The system mass, volume and power are estimated accordingly for the conventional and the combined systems. Then, both systems are compared with respect to the typical small satellite missions.

Findings

The combined system outperforms the conventional system in most small satellite missions. However, there are some small satellite missions where the conventional systems are better in terms of the mass and volume budgets.

Research limitations/implications

This research work is exclusively for small satellites in the LEO orbits.

Practical implications

A reasonable information for sizing the combined energy and attitude control system is established. The system mass, volume and power budgets can be extracted from this research work.

Originality/value

The results provide an instant answer regarding the feasibility of the combined energy and attitude control system for small satellites.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 77 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

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Article
Publication date: 18 May 2010

M.N. Filipski and R. Varatharajoo

This paper aims to present the development and performance evaluation of an attitude and rate estimation algorithm using an extended Kalman filter structure based on a…

434

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the development and performance evaluation of an attitude and rate estimation algorithm using an extended Kalman filter structure based on a body‐referenced representation of the state.

Design/methodology/approach

The algorithm requires only geomagnetic field data and can be used as a low‐cost alternative or as a back‐up estimator in the case of attitude sensor failures. The satellite rate is estimated as a part of the filter state and thus no gyroscope is necessary. The assessment of the algorithm performance is realized through a Monte Carlo simulation using a low‐Earth orbit, nadir‐pointing satellite.

Findings

Given some attitude and rate error requirements, the range of admissible initial errors on the filter state and the effect of un‐modelled disturbance torque are determined, along with the achievable attitude and rate accuracies.

Practical implications

Because the simulation set‐up is clearly stated, the results of this evaluation can be used as a benchmark for other estimation algorithms.

Originality/value

The necessary assumptions and approximations used to derive the filter equations are explicitly pointed out for the benefit of the readers. Well‐defined filter initial conditions are used in an extensive series of tests resulting into a unique set of findings.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 82 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2018

Saleh Akbaritabar, Reza Esmaelzadeh and Reza Zardashti

This paper aims to describe a novel type of attitude control system (ACS) in different configurations. This servomechanism is compared with control moment gyro (CMG) in…

140

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to describe a novel type of attitude control system (ACS) in different configurations. This servomechanism is compared with control moment gyro (CMG) in significant parameters of performance for ACS of rigid satellite.

Design/methodology/approach

This new actuator is the fluid containing one or more rings and fluid flow is supplied by pump. The required torque control is obtained by managing fluid angular velocity. The cube-shaped satellite with three rings of fluid in the principle axes is considered for modeling. The satellite is considered rigid and nonlinear dynamics equation is used for it. In addition, the failure of the pyramid-shaped satellite with an additional ring fluid is discussed.

Findings

The controller model for four fluid rings has more complexity than for three fluid rings. The simulation results illustrated that four fluid rings need less energy for stabilization than three fluid rings. The performance of this type of actuator is compared with CMG. At last, it is demonstrated that performance parameters are improved with fluid ring actuator.

Research limitations/implications

Fluid ring actuator can be affected by environmental pressure and temperature. Therefore, freezing and boiling temperature of the fluid should be considered in system designation.

Practical implications

Fluid ring servomechanism can be used as ACS in rigid satellites. This actuator is compared by CMG, the prevalent actuator. It has less displacement attitude maneuver.

Originality/value

The results provide the feasibility and advantages of using fluid rings as satellite ACS. The quaternion error controller is used for this model to enhance its performance.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Li Fan, Min Hu and Mingqi Yang

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical design for the attitude control of electromagnetic formation flying (EMFF) satellites, present a nonlinear controller for the…

202

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical design for the attitude control of electromagnetic formation flying (EMFF) satellites, present a nonlinear controller for the relative translational control of EMFF satellites and propose a novel method for the allocation of electromagnetic dipoles.

Design/methodology/approach

The feedback attitude control law, magnetic unloading algorithm and large angle manoeuvre algorithm are presented. Then, a terminal sliding mode controller for the relative translation control is put forward and the convergence is proved. Finally, the control allocation problem of electromagnetic dipoles is formulated as an optimization issue, and a hybrid particle swarm optimization (PSO) – sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm to optimize the free dipoles. Three numerical simulations are carried out and results are compared.

Findings

The proposed attitude controller is effective for the sun-tracking process of EMFF satellites, and the magnetic unloading algorithm is valid. The formation-keeping scenario simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the terminal sliding model controller and electromagnetic dipole calculation method.

Practical implications

The proposed method can be applied to solve the attitude and relative translation control problem of EMFF satellites in low earth orbits.

Originality/value

The paper analyses the attitude control problem of EMFF satellites systematically and proposes an innovative way for relative translational control and electromagnetic dipole allocation.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 2 October 2017

Mostafa Jafari and Hamid Reza Zarghami

Regarding the important roles of creativity and innovation for accomplishing innovative missions in aerospace industries, this study aims to explore the impact of a three-month…

584

Abstract

Purpose

Regarding the important roles of creativity and innovation for accomplishing innovative missions in aerospace industries, this study aims to explore the impact of a three-month TRIZ (an engineering problem-solving toolkit) training workshop on enhancing three important creativity- and innovation-related characteristics of employees in Iran aerospace industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A three-month TRIZ educational program was run. Three standard questionnaires were used for assessing creative thinking (CT), need for cognition (NFC) and interest in work innovation (IWI). From different scientific sectors of aerospace industries, 290 participants took part in completing pre- and post-test questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by the related statistical methods (the sign test, correlation analysis and descriptive statistics).

Findings

The results indicate that the TRIZ training workshop directly enhanced CT, NFC and IWI scores, and that there is a statistically significant positive correlation between these characteristics. Also, the results of the correlation analysis of these variables and the demographic features of the participants shed light on interesting facts that can be used for decision makers and researchers of aerospace industries.

Research limitations/implications

This study opens a new way for further research in the analysis of the impact of problem-solving techniques on improving creativity and innovation in aerospace and other high-tech industries.

Originality/value

This paper may be of high value to researchers in creativity and innovation fields in the high-tech industries, including the aerospace industry. This study further facilitates decision-making by enhancing inventive problem solving in these industries. It gives valuable information and guidelines that hopefully will help managers to consider the important issues during TRIZ toolkit establishment in their organizations.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 19 February 2020

Feng Cui, Dong Gao and Jianhua Zheng

The main reason for the low accuracy of magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination is the coarse accuracy of the geomagnetic field model. Furthermore, the geomagnetic field…

150

Abstract

Purpose

The main reason for the low accuracy of magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination is the coarse accuracy of the geomagnetic field model. Furthermore, the geomagnetic field model error increases obviously during geomagnetic storms, which can still further reduce the navigation accuracy. The purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination during geomagnetic storms.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination via a measurement differencing extended Kalman filter (MDEKF) is studied. The MDEKF algorithm can effectively remove the time-correlated portion of the measurement error and thus can evidently improve the accuracy of magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination during geomagnetic storms. Real flight data from Swarm A are used to evaluate the performance of the MDEKF algorithm presented in this study. A performance comparison between the MDEKF algorithm and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm is investigated for different geomagnetic storms and sampling intervals.

Findings

The simulation results show that the MDEKF algorithm is superior to the EKF algorithm in terms of estimation accuracy and stability with a short sampling interval during geomagnetic storms. In addition, as the size of the geomagnetic storm increases, the advantages of the MDEKF algorithm over the EKF algorithm become more obvious.

Originality/value

The algorithm in this paper can improve the real-time accuracy of magnetometer-based autonomous orbit determination during geomagnetic storms with a low computational burden and is very suitable for low-orbit micro- and nano-satellites.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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