LOW-THRUST CONTROLLER FOR SLOT-BASED SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS

Due to the increase in popularity of satellite constellations, some altitudes in LEO have experienced a large increase in number of satellites. This is a trend expected to continue in the future, which could potentially lead to an increased risk of collision between satellites. Collision avoidance is therefore paramount to maintain normal operations and to prevent runaway growth of space debris in LEO. To that end, this thesis develops state-space LQR and tube MPC controllers for LEO satellites operating in near-circular orbits with low-thrust engines. This is done using a linearized model of the dynamics under the Earth gravitational potential and the atmospheric drag.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Contreras, Mario Melendrez

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Linares, Richard

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
• Copyright MIT

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC-EDU/1.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/139276

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/139276