Design and Evaluation of Thruster Control Approach for Micro-satellite ALE-2

Yuji Sato, Shinya Fujita, Toshinori Kuwahara, Yoshihiko Shibuya, Koh Kamachi, Junichiro Kawaguchi, Yuki Kubo, Yuichiro Nada, Kaoru Ohashi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper provides the thruster control approach for micro-satellites to realize autonomous orbit and attitude control. The Space Robotics Laboratory (SRL) of Tohoku University and ALE Co. Ltd. are currently developing a micro-satellite called 'ALE-2' to generate artificial meteors. This satellite is required to keep the sun-synchronous orbit at the altitude of 375-400 km due to operational safety and mission constraints. ALE-2 is equipped with the High Density Cold Gas Jet System (HDCGJ) developed by Patchedconics, LLC for orbit and attitude control. Although a variety of thruster control methods have been proposed, this research focuses on a design of a reliable, uncomplicated and robust algorithm using the low-thrust, 4 nozzle propulsion system. A precomputed thruster selection table is utilized to reduce the processing power and to optimize the thrust force and torque distribution. The evaluation result from the full-software closed-loop simulation demonstrated that the proposed approach was valid for the orbit control of ALE-2 while high attitude control stability could be maintained in the long term.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2020 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration, SII 2020
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages477-482
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781728166674
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Jan
Event2020 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration, SII 2020 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: 2020 Jan 122020 Jan 15

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 2020 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration, SII 2020

Conference

Conference2020 IEEE/SICE International Symposium on System Integration, SII 2020
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period20/1/1220/1/15

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
  • Control and Optimization
  • Instrumentation

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