Robust Controller Design for Satellite Attitude Determination, Stabilization and Control Using LQG/LTR

This paper presents a robust controller design for attitude determination and control of small satellite which is the most important part for precise positioning and orientation of a satellite in the orbit. The position and orientation of a satellite is determined using three different sensors namely sun sensor, magnetometer and rate gyro. In order to implement the robust control, state vector is estimated though QUEST algorithm. The robustness is achieved using LQG/LTR feedback controller which is crucial for the consistent and reliable operation of a satellite. The corrective measures, which are the output of the robust controller and are needed to put the satellite back on desired track are implemented using magnetotorquer which is a set of coils in which controlled magnetic field could be induced. The interaction between the field generated in magnetometer's coils and earth's magnetic field is used to drive a satellite on the desired orbital path. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach for particular application.