Kalman Estimation and Control of Dual-Spin Satellites

lt is necessary to maintain the spin axis of dual-spin geostationary communications satellites with nontracking ground antennas to within 0.1 degree of the orbit normal by periodic attitude corrections. Normally, the data for attitude estimation are determined from the analog sensor waveforms telemetered to the ground station. This information is supplied to the attitude determination program, which processes the data and outputs the right ascension and declination of the spin axis. An application of the extended Kalman/ filter in estimating the attitude of dual-spin geostationary satellites is presented. The precession of the angular momentum vector by the solar radia-tion torque is considered to be the only natural attitude perturbation. The orbital dynamics are considered to be known and are decoupled from the attitude dynamics. A periodic attitude control policy is then derived.