Attitude dynamics, control and formation flying of satellites

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The overall objective of the proposed research is to examine the feasibility of low cost, innovative and intelligent control methods requiring minimum power or propellant for attitude control and/or autonomous formation maintenance. In order to investigate these issues and foster the development of novel and innovative technologies, the proposed research will focus on two primary objectives: attitude dynamics and control, and formation dynamics and control. The first objective of the research is to examine issues encountered in attitude dynamics and control systems. Several low cost methods will to be studied. These include controls based on environmental forces (i.e., solar radiation pressure, aerodynamic force, magnetic force, and gravity force) and combinations of these forces. Dr. Kumar's previous work in these areas, including the application of tethers and fluid rings for attitude control, will be extended. In the next objective, Dr. Kumar's research on formation control methods based on thrusters and environmental forces will be further developed and applied to formation keeping and reconfiguration. This research will also include coupled attitude and formation dynamics and control. The applicant's research on robust and intelligent formation control strategies, based on linear and nonlinear controllers will be extended and applied to both the objectives. The feasibility of the proposed methods will finally be tested via computer simulation and ground test.