Title: Optimised nonlinear composite controller for roll/yaw attitude stabilisation of flexible satellites

Authors: Benfriha Elhassen; Nasri Boualem; Benmansour Jalal Eddine; Ghoul Abdelhamid; Khouane Boulanouar

Addresses: Department of Research in Space Mechanics, Satellite Development Center, Algerian Space Agency, BP 4065, Ibn Rochd USTO, 31130 Oran, Algeria ' Department of Mission and Space Systems, Satellite Development Center, Algerian Space Agency, BP 4065, Ibn Rochd USTO, 31130 Oran, Algeria ' Department of Research in Space Mechanics, Satellite Development Center, Algerian Space Agency, BP 4065, Ibn Rochd USTO, 31130 Oran, Algeria ' Electrical Systems and Remote Control Laboratory, Faculty of Technology, Blida 1 University, BP 270 SOUMAA Road, Blida, Algeria ' Department of Mission and Space Systems, Satellite Development Center, Algerian Space Agency, BP 4065, Ibn Rochd USTO, 31130 Oran, Algeria

Abstract: In this work, the problem of attitude control of flexible satellites is addressed by applying a composite controller (PD-DOBC) that incorporates a disturbance observer to estimate the appendix vibrations and then compensate for them by integrating the estimated disturbance in the control law of the composite controller. To further enhance the controller's performance, we introduce a nonlinear proportional derivative controller (NPD) and optimise the controller/observer gains using the grey wolf optimisation (GWO). Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed methods, with significant improvements in the control performance. In particular, the optimised nonlinear PD-DOBC method outperforms other methods, confirming its superior effectiveness in addressing the challenges of attitude control in flexible satellites with flexible appendages. Our findings have important implications for the design of future space missions and highlight the potential for enhancing the attitude precision and the pointing accuracy of flexible satellites attitude control.

Keywords: flexible satellite; attitude control; composite controller; disturbance observer; NPD controller; metaheuristic optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPACESE.2024.139368

International Journal of Space Science and Engineering, 2024 Vol.7 No.1, pp.80 - 99

Received: 07 Dec 2023
Accepted: 26 Mar 2024
Published online: 01 Jul 2024 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article