Experimental Validation of Attitude Control Laws

We utilize a custom-built Integrated Attitude Control Simulator (IACS) to experimentally validate advanced attitude determination and control algorithms for spacecraft

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A new Integrated Attitude Control Simulator (IACS) facility was constructed via a DURIP/AFOSR grant and is now being used to test several attitude control laws. The main component of this facility is a cylindrical platform located on a hemi-spherical air bearing that allows friction-free rotation about three axes. IACS includes a variety of actuators and sensors: gas thrusters, variable-speed controlled momentum gyros (which can operate solely in a reaction wheel (RW) or in a control momentum gyro (CMG) mode), a two-axial sun sensor, a high-precision three-axial rate gyro, a three-axial magnetometer, and a complementary inertial measurement unit. The facility offers a truly integrated attitude control system (IACS) for experimental testing of advanced attitude determination and control algorithms. This new facility has replaced a smaller first-generation simulator which is now used only for educational purposes.

Sponsors

This project is sponsored by NASA LaRC via the NIA initiative, AFOSR, AFRL and Northrop-Grumman.

Movies

  • The first generation spacecraft simulator.
  • A stabilizing maneuver with IACS in reaction wheel mode (Case I)
  • A stabilizing maneuver with IACS in reaction wheel mode (Case II)
  • A stabilizing maneuver with IACS in CMG mode

Selected Publications and Presentations

1.

Tsiotras, P., Shen, H. and Hall, C., “Satellite Attitude Control and Power Tracking with Momentum Wheels,” AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, AAS Paper 99-317, Girdwood, Alaska, August 16-18, 1999; also Advances in the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 103, pp. 275-296.

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2.

Richie, D., Tsiotras, P. and Fausz, J., “Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscope Workbench: A New Simulation Tool for Tomorrow's Spacecraft,” 20th Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Daytona Beach, Florida, October 14-18, 2001, pp. (8.A.3)1-12.

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3.

Richie, D., Tsiotras, P. and Fausz, J., “Simultaneous Attitude Control and Energy Storage Using VSCMGs: Theory and Simulation,” Proceedings, American Control Conference, Arlington, Virginia, June 25-27, 2001, pp. 3973-3979 (invited).

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4.

Kim, B., Velenis, E., Kriengsiri, P. and Tsiotras, P., “A Spacecraft Simulator for Research and Education,” AAS Paper 01-367, AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Quebec City, Canada, July 30-August 2, 2001, pp. 897-914.

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5.

Yoon, H., and Tsiotras, P., “Spacecraft Adaptive Attitude Control and Power Tracking with Single-Gimballed VSCMGs and Wheel Speed Equalization,” AAS Paper 01-379, AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Conference, Quebec City, Canada, July 30-August 2, 2001, pp. 1121-1138.

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6.

Tsiotras, P., Shen, H. and Hall, C., “Satellite Attitude Control and Power Tracking with Momentum Wheels,” AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 23-34, 2001.

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7.

Yoon, H. and Tsiotras, P. “Spacecraft Adaptive Attitude Control And Power Tracking With Single-Gimballed Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes,” AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 25, No. 6, pp. 1081-1090, 2002.

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8.

Jung, D. and Tsiotras, P.,“A 3-DoF Experimental Test-Bed for Integrated Attitude Dynamics and Control Research,” AIAA Paper 03-5331, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Austin, TX, 2003.

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9.

Kim, B., Velenis, E., Kriengsiri, P. and Tsiotras, P., “Designing a Low-Cost Spacecraft Simulator,” IEEE Control Systems Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 26-37, 2003.

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10.

Marshall, A. and Tsiotras P., “Spacecraft Angular Velocity Stabilization Using A Single-Gimbal Variable Speed Control Moment Gyro,” AIAA Paper 03-5654, AIAA Guidance, Navigation and Control Conference, Austin, TX, 2003.

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11.

Hall, C., Tsiotras, P. and Shen, H., “Tracking Rigid Body Motion Using Thrusters and Momentum Wheels,” Journal of the Astronautical Sciences, Vol. 50, No. 3, 2003.

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12.

Jung, D. and Tsiotras, P., “An Experimental Comparison of CMG Steering Controls,” AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2004-5294, Providence, RI, August 16-19, 2004.

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13.

Yoon, H. and Tsiotras, P., “Singularity Analysis and Avoidance for VSCMGs - Part I: No Power Constraint Case,” AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2004-5207, Providence, RI, August 16-19, 2004.

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14.

Yoon, H. and Tsiotras, P., “Singularity Analysis and Avoidance for VSCMGs - Part II: Power Constraint Case,” AIAA/AAS Astrodynamics Specialist Conference and Exhibit, AIAA Paper 2004-5208, Providence, RI, August 16-19, 2004.

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15.

Yoon, H. and Tsiotras, P., “Singularity Analysis of Variable Speed Control Moment Gyros,” AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 374-386, 2004.

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16.

Yoon, H. and Tsiotras, P., “Spacecraft Angular Velocity and Line-of-Sight Control Using A Single-Gimbal Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyro,” AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference, San Francisco, CA, August 15-18, 2005, AIAA Paper 2005-6393.

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17.

Yoon, H., and Tsiotras, P., “Spacecraft Line-of-Sight Control Using A Single-Gimbal Variable-Speed Control Moment Gyro,” AIAA Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 29, No. 6, pp. 1295-1308, 2006.

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18.

Jung, D., and Tsiotras, P., “An Experimental Validation of Spacecraft Attitude and Power Tracking with Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscopes,” AAS Spaceflight Mechanics Meeting, Sedona, AZ, Jan. 28-Feb. 1, 2007, AAS Paper 07-130.

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