Dynamic Modeling and Energy-Optimal Switching Model Predictive Control for Space Antenna Satellites

The efficient operation of space antenna satellites (SASs) is crucial in space missions, in which minimizing energy consumption poses significant challenges. This article proposes a rigid–flexible coupling dynamic model for an SAS system. The model incorporates the antenna's cyclic symmetric structure and reduces its order by constructing repeated fundamental modes. In addition, an energy-optimal switching model predictive control approach is proposed to optimize the satellite's energy consumption during target switching. Numerical experiments are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic model and control strategy. The results show significant energy savings and considerably enhanced vibration suppression compared with traditional methods.