Nonlinear Optimal Approach to Spacecraft Attitude Control Using Magnetic and Impulsive Actuations

A study is conducted to demonstrate a nonlinear optimal approach to spacecraft attitude control using magnetic and impulsive actuations. To resolve the drawbacks inherently associated with magnetic actuation, magnetic attitude control systems have been employed in conjunction with other forms of attitude control, from passive to active. The main objective of this study is to extend the magnetic/ impulsive spacecraft attitude control concept to a nonlinear optimal framework. By optimal combination of the magnetic torques and impulsive thrusts proposed in this study, the use of both magnetic and impulsive control torques is optimized. The feedback attitude controller required to regulate the attitude motion of spacecraft is designed using the full nonlinear kinematics and dynamics of the system. No linearization is involved, neither dynamic feedback linearization nor a priori linearization of the rotational equations of motion.