Four Reaction Wheels Management: Algorithms Trade-Off and Tuning Drivers for the PROBA-3 Mission

Abstract Reaction Wheels (RW) are common actuators for three-axis stabilized satellites. This paper deals with the management of a RW assembly where four or more skewed RW are used simultaneously. Four-wheel control is commonly used on spacecraft. This paper contributes to this field by providing an efficient algorithm for attitude control torque distribution with RW angular rate constraint management and by providing the rationales that guide the tuning of this algorithm. Moreover, it defines an algorithm for the angular momentum management of this reaction wheels assembly. Eventually, as proof of concept, it applies these algorithms to a realistic scenario of the PROBA-3 mission using a high fidelity simulator. Results demonstrate that the suggested algorithms are operational and efficient. They can be used and adapted to several types of missions.