Structure preserving stabilization of the angular velocity of a satellite
by
A. Astolfi
Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
Coauthors: R. Ortega (SUPELEC, Paris, France)

The problem of asymptotic stabilization of the angular velocity of a rigid body, e.g. a simple satellite, has been widely studied in the control community over the last decades. This problem has practical relevance, as it arises in several applications, and theoretical importance, as its solution requires the use of nonlinear control theory.

Most of the available solutions make use of classical non-linear control tools (such as the center manifold theory or the back-stepping approach), do not exploit the physical structure of the system, and provide control laws that do not possess any interpretation in terms of energy flow or dissipation.

A novel and energy motivated approach is here proposed. This is based on the observation that the system to be controlled has a physically motivated mathematical structure (i.e. it is a Hamiltonian system) which characterize the energy flow. The control law is then designed in such a way that the closed loop system is still a Hamiltonian system with ßhaped" energy and ßhaped" dissipation. This method is applied to a full actuated ßatellite" and to a satellite operating in "failure configuration".

Date received: January 14, 2000