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Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Adaptive Control of VSCMGs for Satellite Attitude Tracking

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>The democratization of space has brought about many new opportunities and challenges for industry, academia, and governments. Smaller and more affordable platforms are now regularly being launched. These platforms have higher uncertainty due to cost, engineering constraints, unmodeled dynamics, coupled effects, and the challenging space environment. In addition, both mission requirements and complexity are simultaneously being increased. In order to achieve these requirements, new satellite control algorithms are required. Adaptive control offers a strong solution to the uncertainty problem. This thesis develops several adaptive control algorithms for satellites equipped with momentum management devices. Momentum management devices such as reaction wheels (RWs), control moment gyroscopes (CMGs), and variable speed control moment gyroscopes (VSCMGs) allow satellites to obtain high levels of pointing accuracy with minimal fuel expenditure. However, uncertainty in these devices can significantly degrade their performance. Additionally, the available bandwidth of the actuators can also degrade performance. In this thesis, we develop adaptive control laws which reduce the impact of actuator uncertainty and dynamics. Specifically, directional uncertainty and first order actuator dynamics are addressed. The Lyapunov stability analyses of these controllers are presented with simulation results. The thesis is organized as follows. Chapters 1 and 2 provide an introduction to the topic of spacecraft control with momentum management devices. The equations of motion and kinematics of a spacecraft with VSCMGs is developed in Chapters 3 and 4. A background on singularities in momentum management devices is given in Chapter 5. The nominal controller is developed in Chapter 6 and the adaptive controllers are developed in Chapters 7 and 8. Information on the experimental testbed and results from the nominal controller experiment are provided in Chapter 9.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Aerospace Engineering
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - Open Access
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Year dc:date.available
2024

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Vernyi, Kyle

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://commons.erau.edu/edt/862
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:commons.erau.edu:edt-1893

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Base URL
commons.erau.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-27
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Vernyi, Kyle. Adaptive Control of VSCMGs for Satellite Attitude Tracking. Thesis - Open Access thesis, 2024. https://commons.erau.edu/edt/862