Nonlinear Nutation Control of Spacecraft Using Two Momentum Wheels

In this work, the nutation control of rigid spacecraft with only two momentum wheels is addressed by applying the feedback linearization technique. In this strategy, the primary performance index is to regulate the nutational angle by the momentum control of wheels. The spacecraft attitude equations of motion are transformed to a general linearized form by feedback linearization technique, including a guaranteed control law promising the internal dynamics stability to accomplish the nutation angle small. It is proven that the configuration of inertia properties plays a key role in analyzing spacecraft energy level. The behavior of the momentum wheels is also studied analytically and numerically. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed nonlinear control law for the momentum transfer is verified by conducting numerical simulations.