Verification and Validation of Attitude and Orbit Control Systems for Flexible Satellites

Abstract

In this paper, an optimisation-based approach is proposed for the veriflcation and validation (V & V) of an attitude and orbit control system (AOCS) for ∞exible satellites. Several optimisation methods, including local gradient-based algorithms, global evolutionary algorithms, and hybrid local/global algorithms are applied to the problem of analysing the robustness of a full-authority multivariable controller with respect to several frequencydomain performance criteria, for a 6 degree of freedom simulation model of a satellite with large sun shields. The results of our study reveal the advantages of optimisation-based worst-case analysis over traditional Monte-Carlo simulations for systems with ∞exible dynamics. In particular, it is shown that hybrid local/global optimisation algorithms can produce more reliable estimates of worst-case performance, while also reducing the associated computational overheads. The proposed approach appears to have signiflcant potential for improving the industrial V & V process for next-generation high-performance satellite control systems.