Parameter Uncertainty Analysis in Precise Pointing Control of Flexible Spacecraft

This article focuses on the validation of a classical PID controller scheme for flexible spacecraft with regards to the effect of parameter uncertainty on system stability and pointing precision. A high-fidelity simulation environment with external disturbances was built in Simulink using a control-oriented model of an Earth-observing...

Linear recursive formulation of flexible multi-body space system dynamics

Numerical simulation of the dynamics of multi-body systems constitutes a central part in the design and analysis of modern space-based systems. The report focuses on the development of a recursive formulation of the dynamics of flexible spacecraft-robotmanipulator systems, suitable for efficient numerical simulation. The rather well-established...

Quasi-recursive dynamics equations for spacecraft-based flexible robotic manipulators

The report contains the development of the dynamics equations of a spacecraftmanipulator system with chain topology. The spacecraft may be flexible. The attached manipulator consists of an arbitrary number of links, connected by single degree-of-freedom rotational joints. None, any, or all of the links may be flexible. A rigid or flexible...

Viscous-inviscid interaction, partitioned dynamical systems and i(n)te(g)ration

Time-integration methods for partitioned dynamical systems and iterative methods for viscous-inviscid interaction are unified using the language of linear algebra. In this way all expertise built up in viscous-inviscid interaction methods becomes available for the integration of partitioned dynamical systems. This report applies some well...

A reference model for the dynamics of a flexible, spacecraft-based manipulator

The objective of the study is to develop the equations of motion of a single link, flexible manipulator, attached to an orbiting spacecraft. A payload may be attached to the end-effector of the manipulator. Starting point is d'Alembert's principle, with displacements described by hybrid coordinates. The equations of motion for the two-body...

Flexible robotic manipulator in space: towards a mathematical dynamics truth model

The objective of the study is to contribute towards the formulation of a mathematical truth model for the dynamics of a robotic manipulator which is attached to an orbiting spacecraft-manipulator system consisting of rigid constituent body is assumed to be known; here the generalization to the case of structurally flexible bodies is attempted....

Dynamics of flexible spacecraft: the internal balancing approach towards mathematical model order reduction

Mathematical models of the dynamics of spacecraft are needed to carry out numerical simulations, to gain insight into the characteristics of the spacecraft dynamics, and to synthesize control algorithms suitable for online system Identification, estimation, and control. Increases in size and mechanical complexity of spacecraft result in...

Dynamics of flexible spacecraft: an analysis approaches towards mathematical model order reduction

Increases in size and mechanical complexity of spacecraft result in increased complexity of the mathematical model which describes the spacecraft dynamics. This results in turn in increased computational effort, in increased difficulties in understanding the characteristics of the spacecraft dynamics, and in increased difficulties in the design...

Testing of spacecraft attitude and orbit control systems

The testing of Spacecraft Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystems is described from the early design up to in-flight, inclusive. Main topics dealt with are: description of three generic AOCS test classes, model philosophy, standardization, subsystem static test methods, subsystem dynamic test methods, generic test equipment and test facilities....

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...

Hybrid equations for translational and rotational motion of flexible spacecraft

The report deals with the equations of motion of spacecraft with rigid main body, flexible appendages, and rotors and jets on the main body. The hybrid coordinate modelling method is applied. The resulting equations describe the translational motion of the spacecraft, the rotational motion, and the coupling between these two types of motion. The...