Title: Satellite attitude control using electrodynamic booms

Authors: Brian Wong; Chris Damaren

Addresses: Spacecraft Dynamics and Control Lab, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, 4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5T6, Canada ' University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, 4925 Dufferin Street, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 5T6, Canada

Abstract: This paper proposes the use of electrodynamic booms for satellite attitude control. By manipulating the magnitude and direction of electrical currents flowing through each boom, the induced Lorentz force acting on the booms can be harnessed as thrust and torque. This can potentially combine the spacecraft propulsion and attitude control systems into one package. This work presents the mathematical formulation of the electrodynamic torque and examines a feedback control algorithm to regulate the spacecraft angular velocity and orientation with respect to an inertial frame. The control algorithm is tested in simulation for several mission scenarios.

Keywords: electrodynamic booms; attitude control; feedback control; magnetic actuation; satellite control; Lorentz force; thrust; electrodynamic torque; spacecraft propulsion; satellites; feedback control; spacecraft velocity; angular velocity; spacecraft orientation; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2013.051773

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2013 Vol.1 No.1, pp.51 - 63

Received: 30 Oct 2012
Accepted: 06 Nov 2012
Published online: 30 Apr 2014 *

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