Finite-time synchronization control scheme for underactuated satellite formation reconfiguration

Abstract

A synchronization control scheme for underactuated satellite formation reconfiguration in circular orbits is proposed in this paper. The main idea of the synchronization scheme is to control the satellite without radial or along-track thrust to track its desired configuration while synchronizing its motion with that of other underactuated satellites to maintain the predefined or time-varying formation. Firstly, a new underactuated control approach is presented for either underactuated case. Based on the inherent coupling of the system states, the finite-time convergence of the system trajectory could be guaranteed by the sliding mode-based underactuated controller. Secondly, to synchronize the reconfiguration motion between followers, the sum of the sliding mode errors of every two neighbor followers is defined as the synchronization control. The Lyapunov-based method proves the finite-time convergence of synchronization control. More importantly, the minimum nonzero eigenvalue of the Laplace matrix can reduce the system state convergence region. Numerical simulations also verify the performance of the proposed underactuated synchronization controller.