Abstract
The inner-formation gravity field measurement satellite (IFS) is a novel pure gravitational orbiter. It aims to measure the Earth’s gravity field with unprecedented accuracy and spatial resolution by means of precise orbit determination (POD) and relative state measurement. One of the key factors determining the measurement level is the outer-satellite control used for keeping the inner-satellite flying in a pure gravitational orbit stably. In this paper the integrated orbit and attitude control of IFS during steady-state phase was investigated using only thrusters. A six degree-of-freedom translational and rotational dynamics model was constructed considering nonlinearity resulted from quaternion expression and coupling induced by community thrusters. A feasible quadratic optimization model was established for the integrated orbit and attitude control using constrained nonlinear model predictive control (CNMPC) techniques. Simulation experiment demonstrated that the presented CNMPC algorithm can achieve rapid calculation and overcome the non-convexity of partial constraints. The thruster layout is rational with low thrust consumption, and the mission requirements of IFS are fully satisfied.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ning J S. The satellite gravity surveying technology and research of Earth’s gravity field (in Chinese). J Geodesy Geodynam, 2002, 22(1): 1–5
Sun W K. Satellite in low orbit (CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE) and high precision Earth gravity field: the latest progress of satellite gravity geodesy and its great influence on geoscience (in Chinese). J Geodesy Geodynam, 2002, 22(1): 92–100
Schmitt C, Bauer H. CHAMP attitude and orbit control system. Acta Astron, 2000, 46(2–6): 327–333
Bock R, Lühr H, Grunwaldt L. CHAMP Scientific Payload and its Contribution to a Stable Attitude Control System. In: AGU Fall Meeting. Potsdam: Geo Forschungs Zentrum, 2000
Bettadpur S. Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, Level-2 Gravity Field Product User Handbook. Austin: Center for Space Research, The University of Texas at Austin, 2003
Drinkwater M R, Floberghagen R, Haagmans R, et al. GOCE: ESA’s first Earth Explorer Core mission. In: Earth Gravity Field from Space0 from Sensors to Earth Sciences. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2003, 18: 419–432
Steiger C, Piñeir J, Emanuelli P P. Operating GOCE, the European Space Agency’s Low-flying Gravity Mission. In: SpaceOps 2010 Conference, Delivering on the Dream. Huntsville: AIAA, 2010. 2010–2125
Wang Z K, Zhang Y L. A Novel Concept of Satellite Gravity Field Measurement System Using Precision Formation Flying Technology. In: 3rd CSA-IAA Conference on Advanced Space Systems and Applications-Satellite Applications and Applied Satellites. Shanghai: IEEE, 2008
Zhang Y L, Zeng G Q, Wang Z K, et al. Theory and Application of Distributed Satellites System (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2008. 262–264
Ziegler B, Blanke M. Drag-Free Motion Control of Satellite for High Precision Gravity Field Mapping. In: Proceedings of the 2002 IEEE International Conference on Control Applications. Glascow: IEEE, 2002. 292–297
Prieto D, Bona B. A Modern Approach to Drag Attenuation in a H∞ Robust Orbit Control. In: Proceedings of IEEE International Conference in Information and Communication Technologies. Damascus: IEEE, 2004. 315–316
Canuto E, Massotti L. All-propulsion design of the drag-free and attitude control of the European satellite GOCE. Acta Astron, 2009, 64: 325–344
Shearer C M, Heise S A. Constrained Model Predictive Control of a Nonlinear Aerospace System. AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit, Collection of Technical Papers. Boston: AIAA, 1998. 772–785
Wood M, Chen W H. Regulation of Magnetically Actuated Satellites using Model Predictive Control with Disturbance Modelling. In: Proceedings of 2008 IEEE International Conference on Networking, Sensing and Control, ICNSC. Sanya: IEEE, 2008. 692–697
Chen W H. Predictive control of general nonlinear systems using approximation. IEE Proc Control Theory Appl, 2004, 151(2): 137–144
Xu Y J, Tatsch A, Fitz-Coy G N. Chattering Free Sliding Mode Control for a 6 DOF Formation Flying Mission. In: AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit. San Francisco: AIAA, 2005. 15–18
Canuto E, Bona B, Calafiore G, et al. Drag Free Control for the European Satellite GOCE. Part i: Modeling. In: Proceedings of the 41st IEEE conference on Decision and Control Conference. Las Vegas: IEEE Control Systems Society, 2002. 1269–1274
Canuto E, Molano A, Massotti L. Drag-free control of the GOCE satellite: noise and observer design. IEEE T Contr Sys Tech, 2010, 18(2): 501–509
Rock S B, Blandino J J, Demetriou A M. Application of Micronewton Thrusters for Control of Multispacecraft Formations in Earth Orbit. In: 40th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit. Fort Lauderdale: AIAA, 2004. 11–14
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ji, L., Liu, K. & Xiang, J. On all-propulsion design of integrated orbit and attitude control for inner-formation gravity field measurement satellite. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 54, 3233–3242 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4621-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-011-4621-8