Adaptive backstepping control for three axis microsatellite attitude pointing under actuator faults

This paper presents the design of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) micro-satellite attitude controller using reaction wheels, and under actuator faults. Firstly, a backstepping controller is developed when the actuator is fault-free. Then, a fault tolerant controller is designed to compensate the actuator fault. Two types of this latter are considered (additive and multiplicative faults). The presented control strategy is based on adaptive backstepping technique. The simulation results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented technique.