Cubesat dynamics and attitude control : Kane’s method, LQR, and Kalman filtering

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Authors
McKee, Paul Dickson
Issue Date
2018-08
Type
Electronic thesis
Thesis
Language
ENG
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Mechanical engineering
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Abstract
This goal of this thesis is to bring together several relevant techniques and methods commonly used in Spacecraft Attitude Control Engineering for the purpose of designing and simulating a complete CubeSat Attitude Control System. The CubeSat in question includes three reaction wheels and a rotate-able solar array (all modeled), totaling 7 degrees of freedom. The complete equations of motion are derived using Kane's method, creating a mathematical model that can be simulated and controlled. Process noise and sensor noise are then added to the system, and their effects are mitigated through the use of a multiplicative extended Kalman Filter (MEKF). Finally, multiple control methods are explored, with an emphasis on Linear Quadratic Regulation (LQR) for fine-pointing steady-state accuracy. The complete controller is then put to the test to see how it fares in three realistic mission phases: initial de-tumble, solar array pointing, and long-term disturbance rejection. Success is demonstrated in all three mission phases.
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August 2018
School of Engineering
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
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