Precision Attitude Stabilization with Intermittent External Torque

Abstract: The attitude stabilization of a micro-satellite employing a variable-amplitude cold gas thruster which reflects as a time varying gain on the control input is considered. Existing literature uses a persistence filter based approach that typically leads to large control gains and torque inputs during specific time intervals corresponding to the 'on' phase of the external actuation. This work aims at reducing the transient spikes placed upon the torque commands by the judicious introduction of an additional time varying scaling signal as part of the control law. The time update mechanism for the new scaling factor and overall closed-loop stability are established through a Lyapunov-like analysis. Numerical simulations highlight the various features of this new control algorithm for spacecraft attitude stabilization subject to torque intermittence.