doi:10.3850/978-981-08-7723-1_P202

ABSTRACT

This paper deals with the three-dimensional attitude control of an underactuated satellite equipped with thrusters whose force directions are fixed with respect to the satellite. Using the wz-parameters for a satellite's attitude expression, this paper proposes a nonholonomic attitude controller which is effective for any satellites regardless of its moment of inertia. Although thrusters generate unilateral forces, three thrusters placed in a parallel configuration can control the satellite’s threedimensional attitude motion. Numerical simulation is shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller. Furthermore, the efficiency of a controller for different thruster positions is also discussed.

Keywords: Attitude control, Nonlinear control, Thruster, Nonholonomic constraints, Unilateral inputs.

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