Misalignment Angle Calculation Accuracy Analysis of Three-Axis Stabilized Geostationary Satellite

The most challenging problem of navigation in three-axis stabilized geostationary satellite is accurate calculation of misalignment angles, deduced by orbit measurement error, attitude measurement error, thermal elastic deformation, time synchronization error, and so on. Before the satellite is launched, the misalignment model must be established and validated. But there were no observation data, which is a non-negligible risk of yielding the greatest returns on investment. On the basis of misalignment modeling using landmarks and stars, which is not available between different organizations and is developed by ourselves, experimental data are constructed to validate the navigation processing flow as well as misalignment calculation accuracy. In the condition of using landmarks, the maximum misalignment calculation errors of roll, pitch, and yaw axis are 2, 2, and 104 micro radians, respectively, without considering the accuracy of image edge detection. While in the condition of using stars, the maximum errors of roll, pitch, and yaw axis are 1, 1, and 3 micro radians, respectively, without considering the accuracy of star center extraction. Results are rather encouraging, which pave the way for high-accuracy image navigation of three-axis stabilized geostationary satellite. The misalignment modeling as well as calculation method has been used in the new generation of geostationary meteorological satellite in China, FY-4 series, the first satellite of which was launched at the end of 2016.

Underactuated spacecraft angular velocity stabilization and three-axis attitude stabilization using two single gimbal control moment gyros

Angular velocity stabilization control and attitude stabilization control for an underactuated spacecraft using only two single gimbal control moment gyros （SGCMGs） as actuators is investigated. First of all, the dynamic model of the underactuated spacecraft is established and the singularity of different configurations with the two SGCMGs is analyzed. Under the assumption that the gimbal axes of the two SGCMGs are installed in any direction, and that the total system angular momentum is not zero, a state feedback control law via Lyapunov method is designed to globally asymptotically stabilize the angular velocity of spacecraft. Under the assumption that the gimbal axes of the two SGCMGs are coaxially installed along anyone of the three principal axes of spacecraft inertia, and that the total system angular momentum is zero, a discontinuous state feedback control law is designed to stabilize three-axis attitude of spacecraft with respect to the inertial frame. Furthermore, the singularity escape of SGCMGs for the above two control problems is also studied. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of the control laws.

Flatness-Based Control in Successive Loops for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Micro-Satellites

The control problem for the multivariable and nonlinear dynamics of unmanned aerial vehicles and micro-satellites is solved with the use of a flatness-based control approach which is implemented in successive loops.The state-space model of(i)unmanned aerial vehicles and(ii)micro-satellites is separated into two subsystems,which are connected between them in cascading loops.Each one of these subsystems can be viewed independently as a differentially flat system and control about it can be performed with inversion of its dynamics as in the case of input–output linearized flat systems.The state variables of the second subsystem become virtual control inputs for the first subsystem.In turn,exogenous control inputs are applied to the first subsystem.The whole control method is implemented in two successive loops and its global stability properties are also proven through Lyapunov stability analysis.The validity of the control method is confirmed in two case studies:(a)control and trajectories tracking for the autonomous octocopter,(ii)control of the attitude dynamics of micro-satellites.

A Nonlinear Optimal Control Method for Attitude Stabilization of Micro-Satellites

Attitude control and stabilization of micro-satellites is a nontrivial problem due to the highly nonlinear and multivariable structure of the satellites'state-space model.In this paper,a novel nonlinear optimal(H-infinity)control approach is developed for this control problem.The dynamic model of the satellite's attitude dynamics undergoesfirst approximate linearization around a temporary operating point which is updated at each iteration of the control algorithm.The linearization process relies on first-order Taylor series expansion and on the computation of the Jacobian matrices of the state-space model of the satellite's attitude dynamics.For the approximately linearized description of the satellite's attitude a stabilizing H-infinity feedback controller is designed.To compute the controller's feedback gains,an algebraic Riccati equation is solved at each time-step of the control method.The stability properties of the control scheme are proven through Lyapunov analysis.It is also demonstrated that the control method retains the advantages of linear optimal control that is fast and accurate tracking of the reference setpoints under moderate variations of the control inputs.

FY-4 Meteorological Satellite

FY-4 is the second generation of Chinese geostationary satellite for quantitative remote sensing meteorological application. The detection efficiency, spectral bands, spatial and time resolution have been greatly improved with respect to those of first generation, as well as the radiometric calibration and sensitivity. The combination of multichannel detection and vertical sounding was first realized on FY-4, because both the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager(AGRI) and Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder(GIIRS) are on the same spacecraft. The main performance of the payloads including AGRI, GIIRS and Lightning Mapping Imager, and the spacecraft bus are presented, the performance being equivalent to the level of the third generation meteorological satellites in Europe and USA. The acquiring methods of remote sensing data including multichannel and high precision quantitative observing, imaging collection of the ground and cloud, vertical observation of atmospheric temperature and moisture, lightning imaging observation and space environment detection are shown. Several innovative technologies including high accuracy rotation angle detection and scanning control, high precision calibration, micro vibration suppression, unified reference of platform and payload and on-orbit measurement, real-time image navigation and registration on-orbit were applied in FY-4.