In-flight attitude estimations and control experiments with Iras based on modern control theory

One of the research activities of the Space Division of the National Aerospace Laboratory NLR is the application of modern estimation and control theory to spacecraft attitude control problems. Algorithms for spacecraft state estimation and attitude control, as well as for inertial-optical attitude determination have been developed previously...

Towards digital computer simulation of the dynamics of flexible spacecraft

Software design for digital computer simulation of the dynamics of flexible spacecraft equipped with actuators and sensors, should take into account two properties of the overall system: (i) s.ampled-data control of the spacecraft leads to discontinuous inputs (forcing functions) in the differential equations of motion, thereby requiring...

IRAS end-to-end datasystem

The development of a complex data system involving many disciplines requires a strict control from the early phases of a project onwards, to ensure that all requirements are met within the technical and financial constraints. To exercise such control becomes more difficult when different institutes/organizations contribute to the system, the...

Application of model following control and estimation techniques to attitude control of manoeuvring spacecraft Part I: Theory and simulation results

This document presents an approach to sampled data, on-board estimation and control of the attitude motion of manoeuvring spacecraft. Algorithms which are developed include: a - model following control of attitude manoeuvres b - estimation of spacecraft state (attitude, angular velocity, disturbance torque) c - optical-inertial attitude...