Adaptive robust fault-tolerant control of spinning tether system for space debris removal

Abstract

The Spinning Tether System (STS) is currently recognized as one of the most effective and ideal platforms for removing space debris. It offers several advantages, including a non-contact mechanism, rapid deorbit capabilities, stable spinning, and a short preparation time for subsequent missions. The system primarily depends on the thrusters of the main spacecraft and the capture device for its spin-up process. Although modern technology and quality management methods strive to minimize thruster failures, the capture of debris significantly affects the STS. This impact can induce tether oscillations and cause actuator failures, thereby destabilizing the spin-up process. Given these challenges, this paper explores the design of fault-tolerant control strategies to enhance system reliability during the post-capture spin-up phase. Initially, a dynamic model using quaternions as generalized coordinates was established based on the constrained Lagrange equation. This model facilitated a detailed analysis of potential thruster failure modes. Subsequently, the optimal trajectory for the spin-up process was planned using the pseudo-spectral method, ensuring efficiency and safety in control execution. To address the identified vulnerabilities, the study introduces an adaptive robust fault-tolerant controller. This controller, based on a BLF and integrated with a nonlinear neural network disturbance observer, is designed to operate effectively under fault conditions. Numerical simulations were conducted to validate the performance of the controller, demonstrating its capability to maintain stable control of the system, both after detecting a fault signal and following an actuator failure.