Controlling a Satellite using Single-Gimbal Control Moment Gyroscope During Their Spinning and Braking

Abstract

The capabilities of using single-gimbal control moment gyroscopes (CMGs) for the attitude control of Earth remote sensing (ERS) satellites are studied. The situation of the incomplete spinning of CMGs used for controlling the angular motion of the satellite when these gyros have a different angular momentum is considered. Control algorithms that can be applied in this situation are proposed, and it is shown that they can be used to stabilize the satellite. Using simulation, it is shown that a satellite’s angular motion can be controlled by CMGs having different angular momenta.