Control of large space structures and associated precision-pointed payloads

Abstract

Stability and robustness of a two-level control system for large space structures were investigated. In particular, the effects of actuator/sensor nonlinearities and dynamics on the closed-loop stability were studied and the problem of control-systems design for fine-pointing of several individually pointed payloads mounted on a large space platform was examined. A composite controller is proposed and is stable and robust.