On the problem of optimal spacecraft attitude control

Abstract

The problem of the optimal control of a spacecraft reorientation from an arbitrary initial position into a prescribed final angular position is studied. For optimization, we use a generalized integral index characterizing the complexity of the rotation trajectory from the viewpoint of the “distance covered,” which is the generalized rotation angle that takes into account the different weights of the spacecraft axes in the sense of expenditures (of fuel, time, or another irreplaceable resource) needed to rotate the spacecraft by the same angle. An analytical solution of this problem is obtained. Two versions of the optimal spacecraft slew maneuver problem (using the shortest trajectory) are considered—the quickest maneuver and a maneuver in the prescribed time. The optimal control problem is solved for several types of constraints on the control variables. The time of starting the deceleration is determined based on the actual motion parameters (mismatch angle and angular velocity) using the terminal control principles (based on the angular position and angular velocity measurements). An example and simulation results of the spacecraft dynamics under the optimal control are presented, which demonstrate the practical usefulness of the proposed control algorithms.