CMG singularity avoidance using VSCMG null motion

Abstract

A Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscope (VSCMG) null motion steering law is introduced that continuously attempts to minimize the condition number of the control influence matrix. By doing so the gimbal angles are rearranged to less singular configurations without exerting a torque onto the spacecraft. By allowing the reaction wheel speeds to be variable in this steering law, more general reconfigurations are possible than what are possible with conventional CMGs. No apriori calculations of preferred sets of gimbal angles are necessary -with this method. Numerical studies show that superimposing this VSCMG null motion on the VSCMG steering law can result in a drastic reduction in the required reaction wheel power consumption when operating near CMG singular gimbal configurations. The reaction wheel torque required by this VSCMG steering law is typically very small and achievable with existing CMG hardware.