Real-time optimal slew maneuver design and control

Abstract : This thesis considers the problem of time-optimal spacecraft slew maneuvers. Since the work of Bilimoria and Wie it has been known that the time-optimal reorientation of a symmetric rigid body was not the eigenaxis maneuver once thought to be correct. Here, this concept is extended to axisymmetric and asymmetric rigid body reorientations with idealized independent torque generating devices. The premise that the time-optimal maneuver is not, in general, an eigenaxis maneuver, is shown to hold for all spacecraft configurations. The methodology is then extended to include spacecraft control systems employing magnetic torque rods, a combination of pitch bias wheel with magnetic torque rods, and finally to control systems employing single gimbal control moment gyros. The resulting control solutions, designed within the limitations of the actuators, eliminate the requirement to avoid actuator singularities. Finally, by employing sampled-state feedback the viability of real-time optimal closed loop control is demonstrated.