Distributed coordinated control for satellite formation system with communication delay

When a follower satellite is tracking the leader satellite, the communication delay will affect the tracking performance. To solve this problem, we build a dynamic model based on directed communication topology. Then we use neural network to obtain the real-time estimate of model uncertainties and external disturbances, and use adaptive control to compensate for residual effects. Based on nonsingular terminal sliding-mode control and neural network, we propose a finite-time control for the follower satellite to track the leader under the effect of communication delay. Lyapunov method is used to prove the finite-time stability. Simulation results are also provided to show the effectiveness of the control law.