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Space Vehicles

Air Force Institute of Technology

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial satellites--Control systems--Computer simulation

Publication Year

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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Near Real-Time Closed-Loop Optimal Control Feedback For Spacecraft Attitude Maneuvers, C. Douglas Mcfarland Mar 2009

Near Real-Time Closed-Loop Optimal Control Feedback For Spacecraft Attitude Maneuvers, C. Douglas Mcfarland

Theses and Dissertations

Optimization of spacecraft attitude maneuvers can significantly reduce attitude control system size and mass, and extend satellite end-of-life. Optimal control theory has been applied to solve a variety of open-loop optimal control problems for terrestrial, air, and space applications. However, general application of real-time optimal controllers on spacecraft for large slew maneuvers has been limited because open-loop control systems are inherently vulnerable to error and the computation necessary to solve for an optimized control solution is resource intensive. This research effort is focused on developing a near real-time optimal control (RTOC) system for spacecraft attitude maneuvers on the Air Force …


Design Of The Computer Subsystem For The Afit Simulation Satellite (Simsat), Michael P. Hanke Dec 1998

Design Of The Computer Subsystem For The Afit Simulation Satellite (Simsat), Michael P. Hanke

Theses and Dissertations

This document details the systematic development of the computer subsystem for the AFIT Simulation Satellite (SIMSAT) from Concept Exploration to Implementation. This subsystem design effort was conducted as part of a larger four-phase team design effort to implement a fully functional, user-friendly test facility to meet current AFIT teaching and research requirements. Once SIMSAT system integration is complete, control laws will execute on the free-floating "satellite" to reduce communication systems overhead and its impact on control law execution, thereby allowing for more robust control system development and execution. Control law development, simulation, and interactive control of the system will occur …