Active control and attitude stabilization of a momentum-biased satellite without yaw measurements

Momentum-Biased satellites are dual-spin satellites that do not consist of two parts (platform and rotor). Momentum-biased satellites are three-axis-stabilized. Most communications satellites, especially those operating in geostationary altitudes, are momentum-biased., The momentum bias is not sufficient to stabilize completely the momentum axis in space. Active control means are generally added to assure an accurate attitude stabilization, keeping the attitude errors within strict permitted limits. An unusual and important feature of momentum-biased satellites is that their yaw attitude error need not be measured, rendering that difficult task unnecessary. In this paper, first we discuss about stabilization without active control and prove that active attitude stabilization is mandatory, then we have comparison between active control using yaw measurements and active control without yaw measurements.