Agile Multi- Targeting Spacecraft Control Via Backstepping-Sliding mode Approach

Abstract

Rapid multi-targeting attitude maneuver problem of agile small satellite has become a focus in recent years. Although the type, numbers, and configuration of actuators play an important role in the performance of attitude control system, importance of controller algorithm is not less. In this paper, we design a backstepping-sliding mode controller for a micro spacecraft equiped by 6 Pulse-Width Pulse-Modulation (PWPF) thrusters to achieve rapid maneuverability. Authors used the ideal backstepping method as the benchmark due to its ability to perform high pointing accuracy and robustness. Then the performance of the designed backstepping-sliding mode controller has been compared by ideal backstepping ones in both (i) smooth and (ii) sudden maneuvers case. Analysis of the simulation results proves the high pointing accuracy, great robustness, and rapid time response of backstepping-sliding mode controller to deal with rapid sudden maneuvers.