Direct Lyapunov-based control law design for spacecraft attitude maneuvers

Abstract

Abstract A direct Lyapunov–based control law is presented to perform on–orbit stability for spacecraft attitude maneuvers. Spacecraft attitude kinematic equations are coupled, nonlinear, multi–input multi–output (MIMO), which baffles controller design. Orbit angular rates are taken into account in kinematic equations and influence of gravity gradient moments and disturbance moments on the spacecraft attitude in dynamic equations is considered to approach the practical environment, which enhance the problem complexity to some extent. Based on attitude tracking errors and angular rates' a Lyapunov function is constructed' through which the stabilizing feedback control law is deduced via Lie derivation of the Lyapunov function. The proposed method can deal with the case that the spacecraft is subjected to mass property variations or centroidal inertia matrix variations due to fuel assumption or flexibility, and disturbance moments, which shows the proposed controller is robust for spacecraft attitude maneuve...