H∞ robust control is a powerful tool to design controllers robust against disturbances and model uncertainties. However, when a fault occurs in the system, H∞ controllers typically have reduced adaptability to the fault, possibly requiring costly system identification steps to adapt the controller to the unknown faulty model. In this research, integral reinforcement learning (IRL) is applied to the H∞ tracking control problem to adapt a controller online without any knowledge of system dynamics, where only system trajectory data is available to the learning algorithm. Both off-policy and on-policy IRL methods are applied to a pitch-rate tracker for the linearised F-16 short-period dynamics after a fault of 50% reduction in elevator actuator effectiveness has occurred. The adapted controller converges to the model-based controller for the faulty system within 15 s, and its tracking performance is compared to that of the controller for the nominal system. ... Read more

This summary is about the highlights of the final design of the LAMP (Low Altitude Modular Platform). This report follows the project plan, baseline report and midterm report. This report presents the market analysis for the platform followed by the detailed design of the platform. The design of each subsystem is treated on its own after which the integration, manufacturing and operations of all subsystems are discussed. The low-altitude modular platform is a versatile satellite platform with a wide range of capabilities. It bridges the gap between small CubeSats and high-end Earth observational satellites, while also flying at 300 Km, enabling higher resolutions in a small form factor. While the market share of CubeSats has grown a lot in recent years, their capabilities are still limited. Due to practical constraints of miniaturisation, the spacecraft bus platform typically occupies approximately 50% to 80% of the total satellite internal volume. This problem is however remedied with the use of larger satellites, which is the market gap LAMP tries to occupy. It has both the advantages of standardisation, ease of production, and low cost of CubeSats, while also possessing a large payload fraction and the bus capabilities to accommodate a high-end earth observation payload. LAMP is also innovative in its communication capabilities: It is planned to be the first satellite platform to use the SpaceX Starlink constellation. This gives LAMP unparalleled communication capabilities for an earth observational satellite in its class. LAMP is capable of sending all the information of its design payload (the DST) in livelink. In certain orbits, it is even capable of streaming 1080p 60fps video live to Earth. This opens it for a great number of new applications related to civil, law enforcement, and military surveillance... ... Read more