Controller design for MSAT-a third generation spacecraft

The control of a large flexible space structure (LFSS) as modeled by the mobile communications satellite (MSAT) configuration is considered. In this problem, the MSAT vehicle is highly unsymmetric and highly flexible, with noncollocated sensors/actuators. It is desired to find a controller, based on a design model of MSAT, which, when applied to an unspecified evaluation model of MSAT, solves the following problems: regulating the orientation of MSAT (three outputs), regulating the horn/reflector relative position (six outputs) in the presence of unknown disturbances, stabilizing rigid body and elastic body modes of the system, and avoiding undesirable spillover effects caused by the controller (robustness). A summary of results obtained in designing a controller to solve the problem, together with some representative output simulations, is given.<
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